Six states, industry join Wash. coal-export terminal fight

SEATTLE (AP) – Six Western states and several national industry groups have lined up against Washington state in a legal battle over its decision to reject permits for a massive proposed coal-export terminal on the Columbia River.

Utah-based Lighthouse Resources, which operates coal mines in Montana and Wyoming, sued Washington state officials in federal court in January, alleging state officials violated federal laws in denying permits and approvals for its $680 million Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview project.

State regulators have said they denied the project a water-quality permit because there were too many major harmful impacts, including air pollution, rail safety and vehicle traffic.

Wyoming, Montana, Kansas, Utah, South Dakota and Nebraska filed a joint amicus brief Tuesday, arguing in support of project backers and saying the case has broad implications for the export of commodities that are important to many states.