Canada's hands are not clean when it comes to coal either.

The US is sending via Canada, in open cars, thermal coal for shipment to China.  Because many US west coast ports do not want the environmental risks associated with it.

Approval by the Feds and Port Metro was given for  coal to cross the border, offload at Fraser Surrey Docks, barge to Texada Island, and then load for transport across the Pacific.

"Port Metro Vancouver spokeswoman Jennifer Hunt said federal legislation directs port authorities to review environmental impacts of operations only, not the climate effect of coal exports".

To reduce operating costs (and protests by environmental groups, concerned citizens, and regional Mayors), coal is now going to be  directly loaded at Fraser Surrey docks on Panamax style ships.

China may be building coal fired generation plants, but Canada is happily facilitating the supply of coal.