U.S. SENATE — After pressure from U.S. Senator Steve Daines, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is continuing the environmental review for the Millennium Bulk Terminal Project in Washington State. The project would allow Montana and Wyoming coal to be exported to international markets.
“Montana is rich in natural resources and has the largest coal reserves of any state in the nation,” Daines said. “The Millennium Bulk Terminal would provide access to international markets for Montana coal and agriculture products, and would mean more high paying jobs for Montanans, including the Crow Tribe. Unfortunately, liberal regulators in Washington continue to try to block this important project for Montana. I’m glad that the Army Corps listened and is taking this important step forward.”
Background:
Today, there is a large demand for Montana’s clean coal in Asia that can help foreign countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while meeting their energy demand. Despite this, the State of Washington has attempted to block the construction of the Millennium Bulk Terminal, which is the point of access for Montana coal to make its way to Asia.
On September 6, Daines sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking them to expeditiously complete the environmental review of relevant permits for the Millennium Bulk Terminal. Review of the project was halted after the State of Washington denied the project a water quality permit based on factors unrelated to water quality, contrary to statute and congressional intent. Daines letter also urged the Corps to determine the State of Washington has waived its authority to issue a water quality permit, removing any obstacle to issuing the federal permit.
In July, Daines pushed for congressional action to stop the abuse of power by Washington State to construct the terminal and get Montana’s clean coal into Asia’s markets. In August, Daines introduced The Water Quality Certification Improvement Act of 2018, which would pave the way for the building of the Millennium Bulk Terminal.
Opening the terminal would allow coal from Montana’s Decker Mine, Spring Creek Mine and the Crow’s Big Metal Project to have access to Asian markets. An operating terminal would create an estimated 300 to 400 high-paying mining jobs – most of them in Montana.
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