Fwd: [COAL-SALEM-TF-FORUM] Army Corps stops permitting process for Ambre
Laurie Dougherty
Great news. Another blow to Amber Energy's coal export project.
From: "Laura Stevens" <laura....@sierraclub.org>
Date: Sep 15, 2014 1:54 PM
Subject: [COAL-SALEM-TF-FORUM] Army Corps stops permitting process for Ambre
To: <COAL-SALE...@lists.sierraclub.org>
Cc:
Please spread the word on social media that Ambre Energy has been dealt another blow, this time by the Army Corps of Engineers!
http://www.powerpastcoal.org/?post_type=news&p=2739
Power Past Coal Statement re: Army Corps Stops Permitting Process for Ambre Energy’s Morrow Pacific Coal Export Terminal
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will stop all permitting for Ambre Energy’s floundering Morrow Pacific coal export project along the Columbia River. Ambre needs Army Corps permits for an industrial coal dock in order to build and operate its proposed export terminal near Boardman, Ore.
The federal agency’s decision to stop all permit reviews, including a highly anticipated Environmental Assessment, comes on the heels of Oregon’s August 18th decision to deny a critical state lands permit for Ambre’s proposed coal dock. Ambre Energy would use the terminal to ship over 8 million tons of coal annually along the Columbia River and through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
In response, the Power Past Coal coalition released this statement from Brett VandenHeuval:
“Ambre’s coal export proposal is dead in the water. Without federal and state permits, Ambre cannot start exporting U.S. coal on uncovered coal trains that will pollute land and water along the Columbia River.
Today is a good day for Northwest communities, but we aren’t finished yet. Even as domestic and global coal demand falls, coal companies will push their financially shaky projects in Washington state, Gulf states, and abroad to Canada and Mexico. But events in Oregon show that communities do not want coal, period. Together, we will continue to fight Ambre Energy and other coal companies like Ambre’s subsidiary, Millennium Bulk Terminals, which wants to force a coal export facility into Longview. Wherever coal companies try to push their product, communities will lead the charge against their special interests in order to protect our health, safety, economies and natural resources.”
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Portland District
News Release
Release No: PA 14-053
Contact: Scott Clemans, (503) 808-4513
For Immediate Release: September 15, 2014
Look for this news release at: http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/media/newsreleases.aspx
CORPS PLACES COYOTE ISLAND TERMINAL PERMIT APPLICATION REVIEW ON HOLD
PORTLAND, Ore. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has placed on hold its review of Coyote Island Terminals, LLC's application for a Department of the Army permit to construct a shipping terminal facility on the Columbia River at the Port of Morrow near Boardman, Ore.
The Corps' Portland District has elected to pause its review process because the Oregon Department of State Lands has denied authorization of the shipping terminal construction activity. DSL's decision is being appealed.
Portland District Commander Col. Jose Aguilar has determined that continuing the District's evaluation at this time is inappropriate, given that it is unknown whether required state authorization will be subsequently granted, and a substantial amount of work is still required for the Corps to process its application to a conclusion.
If the state later grants authorization for the project to continue, Coyote Island Terminals, LLC can request that the Corps resume its permit application review.
For more information about the Corps' Coyote Island Terminal permit application review, please visit http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Currentprojects/CoyoteIslandTerminal.aspx.
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