About the Campaign

We are campaigning to stop the threat of coal being transported by rail into Oakland for export overseas.  Despite the opposition of the City Council, the Mayor, and numerous other politicians “saying” they don’t want coal passing through Oakland, the proposal to build a massive coal terminal south of the Bay Bridge on the Oakland waterfront remains on the table.

The project, known as the Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal, is being built by a group of developers led by Prologis CCIG Oakland Global LLC. After years of assurances that coal would not be transported through the bulk terminal, in April 2015, community members learned that the developers had secretly cut a funding deal with four Utah counties to export coal through Oakland. In exchange for $53 million in project funding, the developers promised the Utah counties shipping rights to at least 49% of the bulk terminal’s 9-10 million ton annual shipping capacity.

Utah officials have stated that they intend to use this capacity to export coal to overseas markets.  This development followed a number of public statements by CCIG’s President and CEO, Phil Tagami, that the company had “no interest or involvement in the pursuit of coal-related operations at the former Oakland Army Base.”

The City Council has the power to ban coal from the export terminal on the basis of its health and safety impacts, but they have instead referred the matter to City staff for review where it has been stuck for many months.  Mayor Schaaf can break the logjam by sending the City Council a draft ordinance to ban coal so that our City Council representatives will be required to take a stand.

Oakland has long been a center for highly polluting transportation activities. This has resulted in disproportionately high health impacts for the residents of West Oakland. Our goal is to systematically reduce the level of pollution caused by all these polluting activities, and we have made some progress.  But we can’t afford to allow brand new pollution, in the form of coal dust, to further threaten our health.  Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel on Earth, imperiling the health of workers, endangering communities along the tracks, and contributing greatly to global warming and climate change.

Although we support the construction of the Oakland Global Trade and Logistics Center and all the jobs it will bring, we reject the developer’s claim that we need coal to be part of it or that there will be any fewer jobs if coal is banned.  Environmental justice and protection of the climate can go hand-in-hand with redevelopment of Oakland’s waterfront.

Who’s Against Coal?

There are now hundreds of organizations and individuals who have signed the letter to Mayor Schaaf and the Oakland City Council cosponsored by Sierra Club Bay Area Chapter, No Coal in Oakland, Communities for a Better Environment, Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Sunflower Alliance, 350 Bay Area, San Francisco Baykeeper, Interfaith Power & Light, West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, and Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice.

As of March 1, 2016, the list of signatories (*titles and organizations for identification purposes only) included the following :

• Community and Climate Organizations

  350 Bay Area

  350 East Bay

  Alameda County Department of Public Health

  Alameda County Green Party

  Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE)

  Asian Pacific Environmental Network

  Bay Area Refinery Corridor Coalition

  Bay Area System Change Not Climate Change

  Bay Localize

  Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community

  Block By Block Organizing Network

  Breakthrough Communities

  California Student Sustainability Coalition

  Center for Biological Diversity

  City Slicker Farm Park Council

  Climate Workers

  Coalition for Clean Air

  Communities for a Better Environment

  Community Food and Justice Coalition

  CREDO Action

  Crockett Rodeo United to Defend the Environment (CRUDE)

  Earthjustice

  East Bay Organizing for Action (OFA)

  East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club

  Edible Parks Oakland Task Force

  Food & Water Watch

  ForestEthics

  Friends of the Earth

  Greenaction for Health & Environmental Justice

  GENESIS

  Hoover Resident Action Council

  John George Democratic Club

  League of Conservation Voters, East Bay

  Living Love Foundation

  Local Clean Energy Alliance

  Los EcoAmigos.org

  Martinez Environmental Group

  Movement Generation Justice and Ecology Project

  Oak Center Neighborhood Association

  Oakland Tenants Union

  Oakland & The World Enterprises, Inc.

  Oakland Alliance

  OccupyForum

  OccupySF Environmental Justice

  Perspective Design Build

  Planting Justice

  Prescott Oakland Point Neighborhood Association

  Protect Our Winters

  Public Advocates Inc.

  Ragged Wing Ensemble

  Rainforest Action Network

  Richmond Progressive Alliance

  Rootskeeper

  Rose Foundation

  San Francisco Baykeeper

  San Francisco Green Party

  Sierra Club

  Strike Debt Bay Area

  Sunflower Alliance

  Urban Habitat

  Utility API

  Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club

  West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project

  West Oakland Neighbors

• Labor Unions

  AFSCME District Council 57

  AFSCME Local 444

  AFSCME Local 2700

  Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 192

  American Postal Workers Union (APWU), Local 78

  Bay Area International Workers of the World (IWW)

  California Nurses Association

  Industrial Workers of the World Bay Area Chapter

  Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific: San Francisco Region

  International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Local 34

  National Nurses United

  National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW)

  Oakland Education Association

  Peralta Federation of Teachers

  SEIU 1021

  SEIU USWW (United Service Workers West)

  UNITE HERE 2850

  United Auto Workers (UAW), Local 2865

• Faith Organizations

  Alameda Interfaith Climate Action Network

  Allen Temple Prophetic Justice

  California Interfaith Power and Light

  Cheryl Ward Ministries

  Church by the Side of the Road

  First Unitarian Church of Oakland Earth Justice Advocates

  Kehilla Community Synagogue Greening Committee

  Montclair Presbyterian Church Environmental Committee

  The Network of Spiritual Progressives

  Oakland Community Organizations (OCO)

  St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church

  St. Patrick’s Parish

  Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco

• Faith Leaders

  Rev. Debra Avery, First Presbyterian Church of Oakland*

  Reverend Dr. Ambrose F. Carroll Sr., Pastor of The Church by the Side of the Road, Founder of the Green The Church Campaign

  Rev. Ken Chambers, Pastor, West Side Missionary Baptist Church

  Reverend Marilyn Chilcote, Parish Associate, St. John’s Presbyterian Church Berkeley, and Pastor, Beacon Presbyterian Fellowship Oakland

  Rabbi David J. Cooper, Kehilla Community Synagogue

  The Reverend Ben Daniel, Senior Pastor, Montclair Presbyterian Church

  Pastor Jim Hopkins, Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church

  Rabbi Burt Jacobson, Kehilla Community Synagogue

  Rev. Sandhya Jha, Oakland Peace Center*

  Rev. Kurt A. Kuhwald, Unitarian Universalist Community Minister, Endorsed, and Faith Alliance for a Moral Economy (FAME) – Interim Clergy Organizer

  Rev. Earl W. Koteen, Environmental Justice Minister, UU Ministry for Earth

  Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor, Tikkun Magazine and Rabbi, Beyt Tikkun Synagogue

  Pastor Laurie Manning, Skyline Community Church

  Pastor Chauncey L. Mathews, Corinthian Baptist Church

  Monte McClain, Pastor, College Avenue Presbyterian Church

  Reverend Will McGarvey, Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County

  Rev. Dr. Robert A. McKenzie, Beacon Presbyterian Fellowship

  Rev. Dr. Valerie Miles-Tribble, Co-Pastor, Faith Presbyterian Church

  Pastor George Quickley, St. Patrick’s Parish

  The Rev. Will Scott, Interfaith Power and Light

  Rev. J. Alfred Smith, Jr., Senior Pastor, Allen Temple Baptist Church

  Rev. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., Pastor Emeritus, Allen Temple Baptist Church

  The Rev. Dr. Kwasi A. Thornell, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Oakland

  Servant Brian K. Woodson, Sr. Pastor

• Community Leaders

  Carl Anthony, Co-Founder, Breakthrough Communities

  Karolo Aparicio, Executive Director, EcoViva*

  Natalie Berns, Communications Manager, Oakland Makers

  Thomas Bowden, West Oakland Blues Musician

  Elaine Brown, CEO, Oakland and The World Enterprises, Inc.

  Vincent Casalaina, Northern Vice Chair, Progressive Caucus, CA Democratic Party

  Jess Dervin-Ackerman, AD15 Delegate, CA Democratic Party

  Russ Flanagan, Board Secretary, Belmont Staten Homeowners Association

  Jack Lucero Fleck, John George Democratic Club

  Diego Gonzalez, AD18 Delegate, CA Democratic Party,  Vice Chair, CA Democratic Party Chicano Latino Caucus, Political Director, Latino Young Democrats of the East Bay

  Rafael J. Gonzalez, Poet

  Mario Juarez, AD 18 Vice Chair, Alameda County Democratic Party

  Andy Miller, Film Director / Producer, Co-founder of Plus M Productions and Momenta Project

  Emily Montan, University of California, Office of the President

  Nancy Nadel, Oakland City Councilmember, retired

  Kathy Neal, AD 15 Vice Chair, Alameda County Democratic Party

  Steve Ongerth, Co-founder, IWW Environmental Unionism Caucus*

  M. Paloma Pavel, Co-Founder, Breakthrough Communities

  Cecile Pineda, Author, Theatre Director, and Playwright

  Sarah Richardson, 18th Assembly District Alternate to the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, Founder/Former President, East Bay Black Young Democrats

  Wilson Riles, former Councilmember, Oakland

  Daniel Robertson, President, IAFF Local 55*

  Rita Xavier, Assembly District 15 Delegate, CA Democratic Party

• Public Health Organizations and Providers

  Center for Climate Change and Health

  Physicians for Social Responsibility – San Francisco Bay Area

  Cynthia Belew, MS, CNM, WHNP

  Amanda Bloom, PA

  Sue Chan, MD

  Arthur Chen, MD

  Robert Gould, MD

  Floyd Huen, MD, MBA

  Susan Jacobson, MD

  Sonia Khan, MD, FAAP, Director of Pediatric Crisis Solutions

  Janice Kirsch, MD, MPH

  Lawrence M. Ng, MD

  Joseph A. Panicali, MD

  Lysa Samuel, PA

  Tolbert Small, MD

  Fred Strauss, MD

  Miya Yamamoto, MD, FACOG

• Elected Officials

  Ty Alper, School Board Member, Berkeley

  Ruth Atkin, Mayor, Emeryville

  Jesse Arreguin, Councilmember, Berkeley

  London Breed, President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors

  Tom Butt, Mayor, Richmond

  David Campos, Supervisor, San Francisco

  Laurie Capitelli, Councilmember, Berkeley

  Keith Carson, Supervisor, Alameda County

  Shanthi Gonzales, Oakland Unified School District Board of Education*

  Nicky Gonzalez Yuen, Trustee, Peralta Community College Board

  Cy Gulassa, Trustee, Peralta Community College Board

  Jody London, Oakland Unified School District Board of Education

  Peter Maass, Mayor, Albany

  Linda Maio, Vice Mayor, Berkeley

  Dianne Martinez, Councilmember, Emeryville

  Eduardo Martinez, Councilmember, Richmond

  Nate Miley, Supervisor, Alameda County

  H.E. Christian (Chris) Peeples, Director, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District

  Diana Prola, President, San Leandro School Board*

  Jim Prola, Vice Mayor, San Leandro*

  Gabe Quinto, Councilmember, El Cerrito

  John Rizzo, Trustee, San Francisco City College

  Alejandro Soto-Vigil, Member, Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board

  Igor Tregub, Commissioner, City of Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board

• Oakland Businesses and Business People

  Arizmendi Bakery, Emeryville

  Bedrock Sandals

  Better Ventures

  Cafe on 7th

  Cafe Talavera

  California Golden Bear Realty

  Core Foods

  Flight Deck

  Grand Bakery

  Kuhl Frames

  Man Cave America

  Mosaic

  Nexus Artisans

  Oakland Chocolate Company

  Paragon Kitchen and Bath Studio

  Park Gas and Food

  Solstice Press

  Tamales La Oaxaquena

  Sean Asmar, owner and chef, Analog

  John Bourne, CEO and Co-Founder, BrightCurrent

  Laurel Davis, Owner, Donut Savant

  Cortt Dunlap, Owner, Awaken Cafe

  Dana Frasz, Founder & Director, Food Shift

  Karen Graham, Owner, Karen Graham Interiors

  John Guhl, Owner, The Star on Grand

  J. Keith Kilgore, Kilgore Inc.

  Michael Kirkman, Train Hole Art Cooperative

  Amanda Messbarger, Owner, Knimble

  Tommy Mierzwinski, Owner, Two Jacks Denim

  Allen Michaan, Grand Lake Theatre

  Alanna Rayford, owner, Urban Stitch Boutique

  Glenn Turner, Owner, Ancient Ways

• Real Estate Agents

  Jennifer Ames, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Todd Andrews, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Charity Ankrum, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Larry Benedetto, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Dana Cordeiro, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Julie Cuellas, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Tracy Davis, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Linda Elkin, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Esther Goldberg-Contreras, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Russell Hill, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Diana Ip, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Hanna Kerns, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Maxi Lilley, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Kim Markison, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Kathy Nitsan, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Marsha Quick, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Angelo Raymundo, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Judy Richardson, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Elena Ronquillo, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Noreen Sanders, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Michele Senitzer, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Kate Tanaka, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Arthur White, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

  Stacey Wilson, Agent, Red Oak Realty*

In addition, each of the following organizations sent its own letter:

Alameda County Democratic Party

Alameda County Central Labor Council

As You Sow

California Interfaith Power and Light

East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE)

Green For All

International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Local 6

International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Local 10

Jack London Improvement District

Union of Concerned Scientists

VAMP Music