Diverse coalition stands up against proposed Longview coal export facility

Eric Shew News

Coal project would turn southwest Washington into the coal export capital of North America Hundreds of residents from across the Pacific Northwest testified today against a proposal to build the largest coal export terminal in North America in Longview, Washington. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) took public testimony on their Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed …

City of Missoula joins growing list opposed to Tongue River Railroad

Eric Shew News

The city of Missoula is asking the federal Surface Transportation Board to consider the local health and environmental impacts of a proposed Montana railroad and the increased coal traffic that could result if it’s built. By adopting the resolution Monday night, Missoula’s City Council joins several local and state entities in arguing that the additional coal trains stemming from the …

Washington Tribe Wants Feds To Halt Coal Project

Eric Shew News

LUMMI RESERVATION, Wash. — The Lummi Nation issued a letter Monday to the U.S. government seeking to end the project’s permitting process for a coal-shipping project encircled by their Puget Sound fishing grounds. In the letter, the Lummi tribal council calls on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to halt the review of a permit for the Gateway Pacific Terminal …

Army Corps of Engineers says no to broad review of coal exports

Allison Roberts News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will not conduct an all-encompassing review of the three coal export projects proposed in the Northwest, rejecting requests from Oregon and Washington’s governors and project opponents. Jennifer Moyer, acting chief of the Corps’ regulatory program, told a House subcommittee today that the agency would review the three proposed export terminals separately, and would not …

Seattle ‘green’ consultants sell out for coal money, whine

Allison Roberts News

As I’ve argued several times, the battle over coal-export terminals in the Pacific Northwest is the key U.S. climate fight of the next few years. Coal-port expansion is the fifth most carbon-intensive project currently planned in the world, bigger than anything else over which American politicians have control. In other words, it’s a defining issue for climate hawks. No ambiguity …

Former Mont. Gov. Brian Schweitzer calls most Wash. coal export plans ‘dead’ (pt. 2)

Allison Roberts News

Brian Schweitzer’s two terms as the 23rd governor of Montana drew to a close Jan. 7. In mid-December 2012, Schweitzer spoke with SNL Energy on topics including coal development, wind generation and his prospects as a potential secretary of energy. Second in a two-part series. SNL Energy: What are the prospects for sequestration technology at power plants that burn coal? …

Former Mont. Gov. Brian Schweitzer proposes a national energy policy (Part One)

Allison Roberts News

In mid-December 2012, Schweitzer spoke with SNL Energy on topics ranging from coal development to wind generation to his prospects as a potential future secretary of energy. Always outspoken, Schweitzer began the interview by cutting off the first question and launching into his plan for a national energy policy focused on the natural gas boom. This is part one of …

Rail company shelving Hoquiam WA coal export plans

Allison Roberts News

Regional railroad operator RailAmerica told Port of Grays Harbor commissioners Tuesday that it is shelving current plans to build a coal storage and export facility at the port’s Terminal 3 in Hoquiam. . . “We agree with Rail America that there are other opportunities which will create more jobs and more enduring economic benefits for the community,” said Becky Kelley …

Groups sue Millennium over alleged Clean Water Act violations

Allison Roberts News

Vancouver and Longview citizens groups announced Tuesday they will sue the owner of a proposed coal dock in West Longview, contending that Millennium Bulk Terminals is violating the federal Clean Water Act by handling coal without a permit. An attorney representing the two groups said he will file a federal suit within 60 days to force Millennium to obtain permits …