Milestone for Millennium coal terminal expansion

The initial draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the proposed expansion of Millennium Bulk Terminals – Longview in Washington, US, has been released, showing how the terminal will meet environmental standards.

“Millennium is committed to meeting Washington’s high standards for environmental stewardship and this thorough study shows in excruciating detail how those standards will be met,” said Bill Chapman, CEO and President for Millennium Bulk Terminals – Longview.

“Over the course of four thousand pages, the document took a hard look at all aspects of the project and reached particularly favourable conclusions about coal dust, air quality, energy and natural resources.”

Specifically, the DEIS concluded the coal dust – a specific concern for many opponents of the terminal’s development – could be controlled.

“Our opponents have been falsely asserting for years that there will be coal dust blowing all around town,” said Wendy Hutchinson, Vice President of Public Affairs for Millennium Bulk Terminals – Longview. “The exhaustive research in this DEIS shows that won’t happen in Longview.”

Other findings indicate that the project would meet Environmental Protection Agency standards to protect people suffering from respiratory disease, while boosting economic growth in Longview and the surrounding area.

“This major milestone moves us one step closer to creating family-wage jobs in Longview, while meeting Washington’s strict environmental standards,” concluded Chapman. “We will build this project right and honour the longstanding support we have earned from Labour and the Longview community.”

It is now over four years since permitting began for the proposed expansion work, which would expand the terminals coal export capacity.

Edited by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/handling/09052016/milestone-for-millenium-coal-terminal-expansion-2016-736/