Or they could just give the land back: so-called Pacific International Holdings’ property at Xwe’chi’eXen

Click the image of a 2016 multi-color collage of photos and text honoring elements of Lummi Nation’s efforts to protect their treaty rights in the face of the Gateway Pacific coal terminal project to access “A LETTER OF GRATITUDE TO THE LUMMI NATION” written in 2016 on the occasion of the United States Army Corps of Engineers upholding Lummi Nation’s treat rights

April 2, 2022 Dena Jensen

At Whatcom County Council’s March 22, 2022 public hearing regarding the Ordinance that Council Members Donovan and Galloway proposed for repealing Ordinance 2022-005, temporary closure of Gulf Road, many people turned out to voice their desire to retain vehicular access to a beach area that they testified was a very important element to the well-being in their lives.

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PUD Commissioner McClure’s past actions aided the quest for a coal terminal at Cherry Point

Still frame from a video of the September 23, 2020, virtual candidate forum for Whatcom County Public Utility District No. 1 that includes images of (top left) forum moderator Tanya Baumgart, (bottom left) PUD incumbent candidate for commissioner, Jeffrey McClure, and (bottom right) PUD commissioner candidate Christine Grant. Click the graphic to access the video

September 2, 2020 Sandy Robson

Back in 2010, Jeffrey McClure, who is currently an incumbent candidate for commissioner for Whatcom County Public Utility District No. 1, signed onto a June 15, 2010, letter to then-Department of Natural Resources Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark, urging him to remove what the letter described as “inherent conflicts” in the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ draft of its Cherry Point Environmental Aquatic Reserve Management Plan

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June 2, 2020 public hearing on moratorium regarding Cherry Point unrefined fossil fuel export projects / Letter to the Whatcom County Council

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Click the graphic to access the above Public Hearing Notice and any others for the week of June 2 on the Whatcom County website

May 27, 2020  Dena Jensen

Don’t forget that next week there is a virtual public hearing on the interim moratorium regarding Cherry Point. I just found out we are urged to register in advance if we want to attend and/or speak at the hearing. This is the link to the page that has information about that: http://www.whatcomcounty.us/3415/Virtual-Council-Public-Hearings

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Letter to Whatcom County Council regarding renewable energy projects at Xwe’chi’eXen/Cherry Point / Noisy Waters Northwest

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Click on the graphic to access a copy of Resolution 2020-004, Resolution supporting environmentally friendly renewable energy projects

February 12, 2020  Dena Jensen

Just over two weeks ago, on January 28, 2020, the Whatcom County Council held their regular meeting which happened to last nearly 5 hours that night. I just finished listening to the whole meeting yesterday, February 11, (the date of their most recent meeting.) One of the last things Council Members did before adjourning that night was to pass Resolution 2020-004, “Supporting environmentally friendly renewable energy projects.” The resolution was proposed by Council Member Tyler Byrd, and passed with a 7-0 vote by the full Council.

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Whatcom Business Alliance’s new ‘project’ to protect Cherry Point refineries’ ability to expand fossil fuel operations / Noisy Waters Northwest

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Screenshot of the ‘Whatcom Coalition for Economic Growth’ Facebook page

December 13, 2019  Dena Jensen

This month, folks may have been seeing sponsored Facebook ads for the Whatcom Coalition for Economic Growth. This is a fairly new “project” of the Whatcom Business Alliance that seems to be putting on a full court press during this time that the Whatcom County Planning Commission is reviewing the Cherry Point Amendments. This WBA effort is not unlike Cascade Natural Gas’s misinformation campaign regarding the Climate Action Plan Task Force.
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Tony Larson and the Business and Commerce Committee campaign against Cherry Point amendments / Noisy Waters Northwest

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November 14, 2019  Dena Jensen

It is surely fitting for protectors of Native American treaty rights and the Salish Sea to be enjoying a collective sigh of relief due to the defeat of Tony Larson’s 2019 campaign to become Whatcom County Executive.  The particular disaster of a man becoming County Executive, who had championed a proposed coal terminal project at Xwe’chi’eXen that was in opposition to the wishes and treaty rights of Lummi Nation, was averted. Continue reading

Primer on the forces behind negative campaign ads attacking Satpal Sidhu’s candidacy / Facebook post, Sj Robson

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Screen shot of the (C1 report) for the Coalition for a Better Northwest Washington filed with the Public Disclosure Commission. The C-1 report, originally filed on August 21, 2019, as shown in this screenshot, displays a submission date of October 22, 2019

November 2, 2019  Sandy Robson

Currently, Tony Larson is running for Whatcom County Executive against Satpal Sidhu. A political action committee (PAC) named the “Coalition For a Better Northwest Washington,” was recently formed to support Larson’s candidacy, and to oppose Satpal Sidhu’s candidacy. Continue reading

Tony Larson’s pro-coal past and multiple false claims are non-starters for the role of Whatcom County Executive / Noisy Waters Northwest

Screen shot of a May 9, 2017 tweet (that was subsequently removed from their Twitter feed) by Whatcom Business Alliance’s Step Up Twitter profile.

October 15, 2019 Dena Jensen

To me, the biggest argument against Whatcom Business Alliance (WBA) president, Tony Larson, being elected as Whatcom County Executive, is that he makes false statements. Over the last number of years, Mr. Larson made numerous false claims which have targeted numerous Whatcom County Council Members and others. Meanwhile, it is additionally unacceptable that during our current climate crisis, Tony Larson has made himself a champion for fossil fuel expansion, including a massive coal export project, at Xwe’chi’eXen, Cherry Point, and is now allowing himself to be promoted through the endorsement of the pro-Trump Whatcom County Republican Party.

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Whatcom County Planning Commission directs staff to consult with Cherry Point industries / Noisy Waters Northwest

Click the graphic of a simple drawing of a white furry creature with big black eyes drinking from a straw in a glass of bubbly liquid to access the audio recording of the 9/26/19 Whatcom County Planning Commission meeting

October 4, 2019 Dena Jensen

That cute little graphic at the top of this post is displayed on a link to the Whatcom County Planning Commission’s not-so-cute 9/26/19 work session regarding the Cherry Point Comprehensive Plan and code amendments. I listened the the whole 3 hour – close to 4 – meeting. It was alarming and disappointing for a number of reasons I described in a letter to the Commissioners that I will post here. 

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‘Because fossils fuels is on the rise – it’s not on the decline – it’s on the rise.’ – John Huntley, Mills Electric / Noisy Waters Northwest

September 11, 2019 Dena Jensen

The Whatcom County Planning Commission’s town hall meeting on Cherry Point Comprehensive Plan and code amendments is coming up tomorrow night, Thursday, 9/12, at 6:30 p.m. Be there early to sign up to speak! This is a step in the critical direction of avoiding climate collapse!

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