Several States File Suit Over Millennium Bulk Terminal

Supporters of the Millennium Bulk Export Terminal project in western Washington now have six allies.  Wyoming, Montana, Kansas, Utah, South Dakota and Nebraska recently filed a joint amicus brief in U.S. federal court arguing the case has broad implications for commodity exports from many states.  Washington Farm Bureau CEO John Stuhlmiller said the brief supports the previous lawsuit that argues the State of Washington is politicizing the process and denying permits for the sole purpose of blocking coal exports.

"That is the argument. Specifically that the decision was dependent upon really, and truly on what commodity was being transported.  It was coal and the impact internationally as well as transportation of coal to the facility and all well beyond the scope of what the permit decisions were about."

Stuhlmiller said the terminal would have been used for more than just coal, but Washington officials did not listen.  But he said the fight is not over.

"This is another step in trying to force a decision that would allow the project to go forward.  But it really does sit and wait for court action and there's no definiteness to when the court would act on these.  So, that's the bummer, we sit and we wait, another season goes by without the facility being constructed."

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