The trial between the City of Oakland and Oakland Bulk and Oversized Terminal (OBOT) ended in disappointment as Judge Noël Wise issued a proposed decision in favor of OBOT. The parties will have opportunities to submit comments, but it appears the City is on the cusp of losing. The basis of the trial is the dispute over which party was in breach of the development agreement. OBOT has sought to build a terminal at the old Oakland Army Base where coal would be received by train and shipped overseas. The judge’s decision essentially concludes that the City didn’t live up to its end of the bargain, meaning that coal could still be on the table for Oakland. For more comprehensive information on the details of the case, please visit our partner No Coal In Oakland’s website.
While this is disheartening news, it is a comfort to know that the City of Oakland’s fight against coal and the environmental injustices it brings are backed by many community members, organizations, and decision-makers. The Sierra Club is committed to making sure coal storage and handling never happens in Oakland. The fight for clean air, clean power, and environmental justice in Oakland continues. If you would like to help out in the next phase of this campaign, please sign up at addup.sierraclub.org/campaigns/keep-coal-out-of-oakland.
