State Says "No" to Building a Boardman Coal Terminal

By WW Staff

Gov. John Kitzhaber's election-season opposition to shipping more coal down the Columbia River seemed to run against a plan to push forward a new coal terminal in Boardman, where Ambre Energy would offload rail cars onto barges headed downriver.

The state Division of State Lands on Monday made a long-delayed announcement that it would deny permits  allowing construction of the Boardman terminal. The decision all but halts Ambre's plans.

The state's announcement didn't get into the politics—or the mechanics—of Ambre's coal plans. But Kitzhaber has been growing more vociferous in his opposition to coal since last fall, coinciding with his campaign to seek an unprecedented fourth term as Oregon governor.

The state lands agency regulates the use of Oregon rivers and had to issue construction permits allowing the project—which coal shipments projected to be 8.8 million tons a year—to go forward. The state delayed its decision eight times to allow Ambre to respond to state concerns.

The agency said today:

Ambre can still appeal the decision.

Opponents of the terminal were pleased at the news.

“Friends of the Columbia Gorge applauds the DSL for protecting river recreation, fisheries, treaty rights and the climate by denying this application,” said Michael Lang, conservation Director for Friends of the Columbia Gorge, said in a statement.  â€œThe Columbia River Gorge is a national scenic treasure and should not be used as the nation’s coal chute to Asia.  This decision is a huge victory for Oregonians and their elected officials who have opposed this project and called for a coal-free future for the Columbia River.”










WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.