Environmental problems and increased rail traffic may outweigh economic benefits, the candidates say. Incumbent Mike Cooper is urging Gov. Gregoire to make the state the lead authority on environmental review.
The three candidates battling to become mayor of Edmonds are on board with either concern or outright opposition to a proposed shipping terminal at Cherry Point in Whatcom County, 17 miles from the Canadian border.
Seattle-based SSA Marine is behind Gateway Pacific Terminal, a shipping pier for exporting bulk commodities, including coal, which China has a huge appetite for.