8 results for month: 09/2026

AB40 signed into law: mandates new EIR for proposed coal terminal

Responding to a vigorous campaign by climate, environmental justice, faith, labor, and public health advocates, as well as the urging of County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas and city governments in Richmond, Emeryville, and Berkeley, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed the Community First Coal Review Act (AB40) into law. Before a lead agency or air district can grant discretionary approval of a large coal storage, handling, or export facility, the new law mandates an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), California's “gold standard” environmental review.  This legislation will ensure that the enormous coal export terminal proposed for West ...

Emeryville, Berkeley, and Richmond Urge Stringent Regulation of Proposed Coal Facility

East Bay Cities Stand Strong Together The momentum of East Bay cities pushing back on the proposed West Oakland coal terminal continues to grow with each passing week: No Coal in Oakland stands with Richmond, Emeryville, and Berkeley as those cities reiterate their longstanding opposition to the terminal and urge the Air District to fully exercise its permitting, regulatory, and enforcement authority to prevent PM2.5 emissions from coal transport through the planned Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal (OBOT). Richmond and Berkeley City Councils passed unanimous resolutions against the proposed coal terminal in July and September, respectively, ...

Energy Analysts Call Utah Coal Terminal Funding “A High-Risk Gamble”

A new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) calls a plan to spend $54 million of Utah public funds on coal export terminals in Oakland, California, and Longview, Washington, “a high-risk gamble to spend … money on out-of-state projects that could leave rural Utah with limited economic benefits — even if the coal terminals are eventually built.” EEFA analyzed a recent report commissioned by the Rural Utah Infrastructure Coalition (RUIC) which recommended investing 80% of the funds ($43.2M) in Oakland and the remainder in Longview. IEEFA’s verdict is summed up in the title of its report, “Extensive ...

Five Reasons Labor Opposes Coal

Labor's leadership is crucial in building the movement against a coal export terminal in West Oakland.

Berkeley Passes Resolution Against Toxic Coal Threat

Last night, over 125 people rallied outside Berkeley City Council in support of a resolution opposing coal handling, storage, and transport in the Bay Area while dozens of No Coal advocates made their support known to the City Council with signs and comments. The Berkeley City Council passed the resolution unanimously. The resolution is a response to the deadly Trump-funded coal terminal planned in West Oakland. The resolution also calls for the Bay Area Air District to strictly regulate coal facilities, and affirms the City’s support of Assembly Bill 40, which requires environmental review for large coal projects. The resolution was sponsored by ...

Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas urges Gov. Newsom to sign AB40 into law

Emphatic support for AB40, the Community First Coal Review Act, was conveyed to Governor Newsom by Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas (District 5) in an eloquent and detailed letter dated September 9, 2026. Supervisor Fortunato Bas represents a district that includes the West Gateway site where developers plan to build the proposed coal terminal, as well as the West Oakland neighborhoods adjacent to the site. District 5 also includes Emeryville, Berkeley, and Albany, three of the East Bay cities through which “unit trains” of 100 cars would pass if the coal terminal becomes operational. Uncovered coal cars would shed toxic coal dust ...

Utah Study Blesses Investment in Oakland Coal Terminal But Leaves Key Questions Unanswered

Will open piles of coal in Oakland replace the open pile in Richmond? A new report reveals lastest plan for the West Oakland coal terminal.

Why a West Oakland coal terminal matters to Berkeley

On Tuesday evening next week – September 15, 2026 – the Berkeley City Council will vote on the adoption of a resolution “in opposition to the handling, storage, and transport of coal and petroleum coke in the San Francisco Bay Region, urging stringent regulation of such facilities by the Bay Area Air District, and in support of Assembly Bill (AB) 40.” Starting at 6:00 pm outside the City Council meeting, the Keep Coal Out of the East Bay campaign will stage a rally and – we hope – a celebration of the resolution’s passage (event details here).  Join us! Berkeley’s resolution is prompted by the threat of coal shipment through the ...