Eighty-five people filled La Pena Cultural Center on Thursday, June 22, for a screening of a new National Geographic film about coal, “From the Ashes.” No Coal in Oakland organized the event, which included a panel discussion and audience reactions to the film. “From the Ashes” illuminates the environmental, community, and health impacts of coal—from mining to transport to coal-fired plants—with emphasis on coal's ruinous effects on workers and families who have built lives in communities dependent on the now-collapsing industry. Dramatic shots of mountain top removal, coal ash ponds, and smog accompany poignant stories from people with ...

City's forces bolstered On Tuesday, June 6, United States District Judge Vince Chhabria granted Sierra Club and San Francisco Baykeeper’s motion to intervene in developer Phil Tagami’s lawsuit against the City of Oakland. The lawsuit challenges the City's  ban on coal storage and handling at a marine terminal to be located on the City's West Gateway waterfront property near the foot of the Bay Bridge.  The move granting intervenor status was foreshadowed by comments Judge Chabbria made at a hearing on April 20, but, until Tuesday's written order, the environmental groups did not know for sure if they would be parties in the lawsuit with the ...