WA coal terminals

Gov. Inslee opposes the proposed coal transfer stations planned for Whatcom and Cowlitz Counties in western Washington. What do you think? The government would like to know.

Millenium Bulk Terminals Co. wants to build these stations near Longview to export coal to China. Previously an aluminum plant until 2000, the site would be where coal from Wyoming, Montana and other states would be put aboard freighter ships to be sent across the Pacific.

The plants would provide potentially hundreds (maybe thousands) of jobs for the two economically-depressed economies on the west side.

The hearing will be held at TRAC in Pasco Tuesday from 4-8 p.m.

Gov. Inslee has not officially taken a firm stance on either side of the issue, but has brought in the State Department of Ecology, which has issued standards and guidelines for the project that supporters say will prevent it from ever being built.

Environmental studies determine there may be negative effects from the coal dust emitted by the trains as they travel across the state. Some local groups indicate they plan to protest the plan, despite widespread support in the Longview area.