CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead says he’s disappointed by last week’s ruling by a judge in Oregon upholding that state’s rejection of a proposed terminal on the Columbia River that supporters say would allow shipment of American coal to Asia.
A judge last week ruled the Oregon Department of State Lands acted properly when it rejected the proposed Coyote Island Terminal project at Point of Morrow on the grounds it could harm tribal fishing grounds.
Mead said Monday in a prepared statement that coal is critical for the economies of Wyoming and the nation. Wyoming and Montana had argued federal protections on interstate commerce should allow them to export coal from the site.
Jerimiah Rieman is natural resource policy director for Mead. Rieman said Wyoming officials haven’t decided whether to appeal.
