Caleb Heeringa, Sierra Club, caleb.heeringa@sierraclub.org, 425-890-9744
Anchorage, Alaska-- PacRim Coal, the company behind the controversial proposed Chuitna coal mine in Alaska, announced on Friday that it suspended all permitting activities related to the Chuitna project. According to Dan Graham, PacRim’s project manager, the permit is being pulled because its financial backers fell through.
What would have been the largest coal strip mine in Alaska received incredible pushback from environmental groups, native communities and the fishing industry because of the damage it would bring to fish populations and water quality. The mine would have required tearing up 13 miles of prime salmon spawning habitat.
This is yet another signal to the declining economics of coal. Seven of the eight proposed U.S. Pacific coast coal export proposals have collapsed in the face of community opposition, declining coal demand in Asia and multiple coal companies have declared bankruptcy over the past few years.
Cesia Kearns, Sierra Club’s Deputy Director for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, issued the following statement:
“PacRim’s decision to abandon its permit for the Chuitna coal mine is not only a smart business decision, it’s the right decision. This is a big win for native communities, fishermen, and Alaskans who have spent nearly a decade fighting this mine because of the damage it would bring to the community, salmon populations and water resources. Chuitna is another example of communities across the country fighting to keep coal out of their backyards and investors acknowledging its risk. Now is the time to look forward and invest in energy resources that support Alaska’s economy without compromising its way of life.”
Carly Wier, Executive Director of Cook Inletkeeper:
“We hope the Alaska Mental Health Trust will finally recognize that coal is a resource of the 18th century, and not something to invest in for the future. PacRim seems to be making calculations that coal companies all over the world are making, that times are changing and sub-bituminous coal is no longer a profitable commodity.”
Polly Carr, Executive Director of The Alaska Center:
“We join thousands of Alaskans who have spoken up in opposition to this irresponsible project in celebrating this news. It’s time for Alaska to start looking at ways to diversify our economy and support sustainable industries, like our fisheries. This project would have taken us backwards, not forward.”