By Bob Walsh
Phil Tagami is, by all accounts, an old and dear friend of Governor Jerry Brown. He is also suing the city of Oakland (where Jerry was mayor between his gig's as governor).
Mr. Tagami controls he Oakland Bulk and Oversize Terminal, an operation at the Port of Oakland. He wants to ship coal out of there. Unfortunately right now that would be illegal. The City of Oakland has outlawed the handling and storage of coal, presumably because it is evil. Also the state DOT is forbidden by law from funding any FUTURE coal handling ports, though that would not effect this case. If Oakland was not being a collective asshole the coal exports thru the port could triple, to ten million tons per year.
Tagami's suit asserts that the local ordinance usurps federal law which regulates the interstate transportation of hazardous substances, including coal.
The city council passed the ordinance unanimously in July of this year.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Hey Bob, Oakland and the state are only trying to do their part to reverse global warming.
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