BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- The state Court of Appeals will hear an anti-coal group’s request of a stay this week of a Whatcom Superior Court judge’s ruling that would keep its initiative off the November ballot.
 
The initiative, the Bellingham Community Bill of Rights, is aimed at keeping coal trains from running through the city.
 
Judge Charles Snyder ruled on August 3 that the initiative runs afoul of federal and state law and should not appear on the ballot. 
 
The exact day the appeal will be heard hasn’t been announced.
 
Initiative supporters hope a ruling will be made ahead of a deadline to place measures on the ballot.