Hundreds expected at Longview coal-export terminal hearing

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Hundreds of supporters and opponents are expected at a federal hearing Monday about a proposed coal-export terminal along the Columbia River in southwest Washington.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking comments on its draft environmental review of the project at a public hearing in Longview.

Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview is proposing a project in Longview to handle up to 44 million metric tons of coal a year. Coal would arrive by train from Montana, Wyoming and other states to be stored and loaded on ships for export to Asia.

Company CEO Bill Chapman and other proponents are scheduled to speak at an afternoon rally.

Opponents worried about potential train accidents, increased vessel traffic and other issues say they’ll turn out in large numbers as well.

The state is also doing its own separate environmental review of the project.