Coal Trains Draw Protests [AUDIO]

The amount of coal train traffic running through Montana is expected to at least double, as exports are stepped up. The trains will haul coal, mostly from Wyoming, to Washington and Oregon
for shipment to Asia. Beth Kaeding with Northern Plains Resource Council was at a meeting this week in Missoula to talk about what the additional train traffic means for towns along the route.

She says diesel fumes and coal dust are linked to lungproblems. Air quality and environmental impacts were discussed at the forum, as well as the Asian demand for U-S coal – which will mostly go to China.There are two more later this month in Helena and Bozeman. Kaeding's comments are below.