PORTLAND Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is pleased to announce “COAL,” an EarthFix original documentary that will air on OPB-TV on Wednesday, June 19 at 10 p.m.

Award-winning filmmakers Katie Campbell and Michael Werner from KCTS 9 in Seattle examine the complex issues surrounding the question of whether or not to build coal export terminals in the Pacific Northwest, from a number of perspectives.

The Northwest is in the middle of a controversial global debate: Should the region build export terminals that would open lucrative markets for the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel? As the U.S. economy continues to struggle, can the country afford not to? This documentary explores the future of Americas coal, and takes viewers from the coal mines of Wyoming and Montana to the waters of Washington and Oregon where new facilities are being planned that would turn the Northwest into the largest domestic exporter of coal.

As I produced this film, it became clear that the issue of coal trains travelling through the Northwest is more than just a regional story. Its a story with national and international reach, said Katie Campbell, a multimedia journalist at KCTS 9 who is part of EarthFix, a public media partnership of Pacific Northwest stations focused on reporting stories about environmental issues. What happens herein this corner of the countrywill have a huge impact on our nations energy policy, the countrys economic recovery, and our foreign relations with the fastest growing superpowers in Asia.

“COAL” is the result of months of reporting by EarthFix on the Northwests coal-export debate. The film will explore the question of whether Northwest coal ports should be builtdigging into the potential environmental consequences and meeting people from all sides of the issue who have much at stake.

We take the audience to some unique places, places most people never get to see firsthand, Campbell commented. We went deep inside some of the largest open pit coal mines in the world. We traveled to a mountaintop research station. We boarded massive cargo ships that navigate the narrow waters of the Columbia, which might one day carry coal through the Northwest. In some cases, where we werent allowed to photograph in certain places, we opted to fly over them and shoot aerials.

“COAL” airs Wednesday, June 19 at 10 p.m. on OPB-TV and will also be available for viewing online at the EarthFix site.

Follow @EarthFixMedia on Twitter and use the hashtag #NWCoal.

“COAL” is a KCTS 9/EarthFix original documentary. Visit the EarthFix site for more information.

About OPB: OPB is the largest cultural and education institution in the region, delivering excellence in public broadcasting to 1.5 million people each week through television, radio and the Internet. Widely recognized as a national leader in the public broadcasting arena, OPB is a major contributor to the program schedule that serves the entire country. OPB is one of the most-used and most-supported public broadcasting services in the country and is generously supported by members across Oregon and southern Washington. For more information, visit www.opb.org.