To the Point
A Battle over the Future of Coal
With a declining market for coal in the United States, the coal industry wants to export its product to China, where demand is bigger than ever. What about global warming?
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenWith a declining market for coal in the United States, the coal industry wants to export its product to China, where demand is bigger than ever. What would rail traffic and new port construction mean for the environment and the “clean economy” of the Pacific Northwest? What about global warming? Also, protests fan across Egypt on the anniversary of revolt, and the author of a new book is creating a stir about the Church of Scientology.
Banner image: BNSF coal train waiting to unload. Photo by Stephen Rees
In this episode
3 storiesProtests Fan across Egypt on Anniversary of Revolt
In Egypt on the second anniversary of the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, Tahrir Square is full of new protesters against his successor, Mohammed Morsi. David Kirkpatrick, Cairo Bureau Chief for the New York Times , has an update.
Read the story8 minChina and the Future of Coal in America
The US is getting "greener" as coal is replaced by natural gas, which is cleaner and cheaper, but that doesn't mean the coal industry's going away. Its salvation might lie in exports. Massive coal deposits on federal land in Wyoming and Montana have already been leased to companies with plans for export to China.
Read the story30 minScientology and Hollywood
When L. Ron Hubbard founded Scientology , he hoped to recruit such figures as Walt Disney, Marlene Dietrich and Jackie Gleason. A new book reports on the church and its relationship with Hollywood.
Read the story13 min