AgInfo.Net | May 3, 2017
Millennium Bulk Terminal Pt 1
by Bob Larson
Program: Washington State Farm Bureau Report
I’m Bob Larson. More regulations from an environmental impact statement could choke the Millennium Bulk Terminal proposed for Longview.
The state Department of Ecology and Cowlitz County issued their final EIS last week, reaffirming that coal dust moved through the terminal is not an issue, but calls for Millennium to mitigate for any coal burned or used elsewhere in the world …
JOHN STUHLMILLER … “As the coal goes out of the Millennium facility and goes to some place in the world, China or could be anywhere else, doesn’t really matter, but anywhere else, and when it’s burned, what does it do for CO2 emissions. So, carbon dioxide or any other global warming-type gases, as they’re termed, you’ve to mitigate for that. And that’s the part that troubles most because that’s a standard that how can a business be expected to address that and so that’s what’s really troubling. Millennium has still got a stiff upper lip and they’re saying we’re gonna work through this, but that’s a pretty high hurdle.”
Washington Farm Bureau CEO John Stuhlmiller says it’s disheartening to watch …
JOHN STUHLMILLER … “Our bottom line has always been, look, for whatever a permit requirement is or from a regulatory standpoint, make it predictable, reasonable, so that a business can proceed. And make it compatible with neighboring states and so on so we can compete in that global, truly global, economic environment. And this clearly hinders that ability.”
Stuhlmiller says Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the nation, but we continue to create barriers for businesses.
AgInfo.Net | May 4, 2017
Millennium Bulk Terminal Pt 2
by Bob Larson
Program: Washington State Farm Bureau Report
I’m Bob Larson. The final Environmental Impact Statement is complete for the Millennium Bulk Terminal proposed in Longview, but regulations could put its future in question.
The port would be the largest coal export terminal in North America, but it would also be an incredible opportunity for Northwest farmers shipping their goods to the Pacific Rim …
JOHN STUHLMILLER … “No question, because that’s another piece that’s been one of the, the main items that I always bring up because, export capacity is export capacity.”
Washington Farm Bureau CEO John Stuhlmiller says asking Millennium to mitigate, not for shipping the coal, but for the use of it, is a huge overstep by the state …
JOHN STUHLMILLER … “And so, when you preclude a bulk export facility like this, that has the ability to move coal and other things, but also takes pressure off of other ports, right, that’s another key factor. That coal is going to move somewhere. Millennium or not Millennium, the product that Asia is asking for will move to Asia, one way or the other.”
Stuhlmiller says Ag exports would also be impacted …
JOHN STUHLMILLER … “But, if we lose rail lines and port capacity within Washington as a result because you don’t expand that facility or keep a viable facility there at Longview, then you put pressure on the rest of the system to try and move product through, and we’ve already had those port slow-downs and issues like that that happen. So, the more ways to get to the Pacific Rim, the better.”
Stuhlmiller says in a state where one in four jobs is tied to trade, it sends the wrong message about our trade and export policies and infrastructure.