A Republican congressman from Montana is urging approval of a Washington state coal port as a way to boost the mining industry in his home state.
U.S. Rep. Steve Daines toured the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal in Bellingham, Washington on Thursday. It would handle up to 48 million tons of coal bound for Asia annually.
Daines says the port would lead to more mining jobs in Montana and generate tens of millions of dollars annually in taxes.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is studying the port proposal. State and local regulators are doing a broader assessment that includes the potential global warming impacts from burning coal sent to Asia.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee hasn’t weighed in on the port, but wants the state moving away from coal-powered electricity.