California's coal war pits economic survival against environmental justice

Proposed terminal to export coal to Asia creates tense showdown in port city as key players cite potential health risks, yet industry could provide needed jobs

Margaret Gordon will not get out of the car. She is in the shadow of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridge on a triangle of land where a bustling maritime terminal is planned.

"The pollution is too bad," the 70-something activist declares, and the terminal isn't even built yet. She rummages through her purse for an inhaler. "I got a sore throat. I have allergy attacks " See the crane operating over there? All that's going to be OBOT."