BELLINGAM, Wash. -- Local coal opponents are unhappy that a multi-national company is joining Bellingham’s lawsuit to stop a citizens’ initiative against coal trains.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway has intervened in the suit to keep the so-called “Bellingham Community Bill of Rights” off the November ballot.

Rick Dubrow with Bellingham’s “No Coal!” group says the city and the railroad are trying to stop the measure from getting to voters.



He says the group remains confident that they will defeat the pre-election challenge.

A judge will hear the city’s arguments to keep the measure off the ballot Friday.

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway has released a statement saying that federal law “requires railroads to serve as a common carrier and transport various commodities, including coal.”