The Port of Coos Bay stands alone in its efforts to develop a terminal for coal exports, as the last project proponent, California-based Metro Ports allowed its exclusive negotiating contract with the Port to expire 3/31/13. Last month, Metro Ports filed a 30-day extension of the negotiating contract after learning that the last two companies being courted as partner investors, Japanese-based Mitsui Company and Korean Electric Power Corporation, lost interest in the project.
On behalf of the Power Past Coal coalition, David Petrie, Director of Coos Waterkeeper, issued the following statement in response:
“We are heartened that Metro Ports, the sole remaining interested project proponent, finally joins Mitsui and Korean Electric Power Corporation in seeing the Port of Coos Bay’s coal export proposal for the bad project it is.
“As coal export proponents desperately seek to develop the other four proposed coal export terminals in Oregon and Washington, should take notice of the independent decisions made by Metro Ports, Mitsui, Korean Electric Power Corporation, Portland General Electric, and RailAmerica to walk away from these risky projects before it’s too late.
“With fluctuating markets, massive opposition from communities, local businesses, health professionals and elected officials across the region, and the hundreds of millions of dollars in rail and bridge infrastructure needed to make the project viable, it is hard to imagine that anyone would want to risk getting in bed with risky and desperate coal industry.”
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