Hearing on coal-export terminal takes place Thursday in Spokane

Mon., May 23, 2016

Residents can weigh in on a coal-export terminal proposed along the Columbia River in Southwest Washington during a Thursday hearing in Spokane.

The hearing takes place at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. A brief project overview will be given at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., with public testimony following.

The Washington Department of Ecology and Cowlitz County last month released a draft environmental review that found the proposed terminal in Longview could have some unavoidable, significant impacts on emissions of greenhouse gases, vessel traffic and rail safety.

Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview is proposing a project to handle up to 44 million metric tons of coal a year. Coal would arrive by train from Montana, Wyoming and other states to be stored and loaded on ships for export to Asia.

Up to eight mile-long coal trains would arrive daily at the terminal, and eight empty trains would leave. Some of the coal trains would travel through Sandpoint and Spokane on BNSF Railway Co.’s line, with others arriving on Union Pacific trains through Oregon.

Written comments will be accepted through June 13.

For more information, visit www.millenniumbulkeiswa.gov.

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