DELTA (NEWS1130) – Anti-coal groups are outraged at news of a coal carrier ramming into a trestle at Westshore Terminals in Delta.

It happened while the ship was approaching the dock, causing power loss to an adjacent berth.  Ray Dykes speaks for the facility and says there is no environmental damage and very little damage to the ship. He also adds that no one was injured.

Kevin Washbook with stopcoal.ca doesn’t buy it, he says there likely is environmental damage.  “It’s bad for human health, it’s bad for farmland, and it’s bad for the environment.  Right next to the terminal we have Roberts Bank which is one of the most important migratory bird habitats in the world.”

He says the group will be pressuring local governments that haven’t yet spoken up about coal export expansion.  It wants expansion to be put on hold.

“There needs to be a proper review of the potential impacts and public concern,” Washbook stresses.

The accident is expected to put a big damper on port operations until repairs are made. It’s not clear at this point how much coal went into the water.    

Washbrook is calling this “coal’s Enbridge moment.”