CLATSKANIE, Ore. (AP) — The Port of St. Helens in northwest Oregon has given a green light to two energy companies that want to export American coal to Asia.
The Longview Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/y9dBJs ) the port’s commissioners voted Wednesday to approve options for leasing property once the companies are ready to build terminals Both proposals are described as in preliminary stages.
Environmentalists and some residents oppose the terminals.
The port says Kinder (KIHN-duhr) Morgan of Houston proposes shipping 15 million tons a year. It would arrive at the port on trains.
A subsidiary of the Australian company Ambre (AM-bur) Energy proposes to export 3.5 million tons a year to begin with, expanding to as much as 8 million tons. It would arrive on barges.
