State and local regulators say they'll consider a sweeping environmental review of the impacts of a proposed terminal in southwest Washington that would export millions of tons of coal to Asia.
The state Department of Ecology and Cowlitz County said Wednesday its review includes looking at train traffic impacts along the entire route as the coal is moved by train from Montana and Wyoming throughout the state. The review will also study global-warming effects of burning the exported coal in Asia.
Environmentalists and some elected officials had pushed for considering impacts beyond the site near Longview, Wash.
The CEO of Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview, Ken Miller, said in a short statement the company had hoped to be hiring workers now, after two years, but was pleased the agencies are moving forward.
Major business and manufacturing groups have argued for a narrower focus, saying there's no precedent for such a far-reaching analysis.
