(Associated Press, December 4) – The state of Wyoming continues to try to pressure Oregon to permit a coal terminal on the Columbia River that could allow export of coal to Asia.
Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead on Thursday announced the state has filed a petition with Oregon seeking to participate in a contested case hearing over the proposed Coyote Island Terminal. Oregon this summer rejected the proposal to build the terminal at Port of Morrow.
Oregon ruled building the terminal would threaten its water resources. It later rejected an appeal from Wyoming, ruling the state lacked standing.
Wyoming is the nation’s leading coal-producing state and is anxious to reach Asian markets as new federal air quality rules reduce demand from domestic coal-fired power plants. Mead claims Oregon is stifling interstate commerce by blocking the terminal.
