The Thin Green Line

Long known for its leadership in environmental policy and clean energy, the Pacific Northwest is poised to become a carbon export hub of global consequence. Standing squarely between Asia's voracious energy markets and huge fossil fuel deposits in the interior of North America--Powder River Basin coal, Bakken shale oil, Alberta tar sands, and remote natural gas fields---the region has become ground zero for fights over fossil fuel infrastructure. The sliver of coast from Prince Rupert, British Columbia to Coos Bay, Oregon is facing new proposals or active development for seven coal terminals, two oil pipelines, eleven oil-by-rail facilities, and six natural gas pipelines. In the next few years, the Northwest will decide whether to double-down on fossil fuel use or act as a thin green line for the climate. About the Lecturer: Eric de Place, policy director, researcher, writer, speaker, and policy analyst. He spearheads Sightline's work on climate and energy policy.