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The following guest commentary was published in The Daily News on Sunday, March 13, 2016:

Scattered amidst the echo chamber of anti-fossil fuel stories, if you’re diligent, you discover impartial news on the fundamental role that coal continues to play in powering our way of life. These stories tend to broaden your understanding of the necessity of coal in today’s world. Take Japan. Our ally to the east just announced 43 new coal plants. Those plants are now in the planning stage. Advanced technologies available when they’re built could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25%. But, as I said before, these stories tend to get lost in the shuffle. Instead, what you often hear is the view that some see coal as a risky long-term bet. We’ve taken that bet. We view energy and trade differently. We’re working hard to build a $680 million port on the Columbia River that will be a world-class coal export terminal.

Here’s why this “bet” will pay off for our local workforce in southwest Washington, the Longview community, and our Asian allies looking to the United States for reliable energy. Asia will continue to need energy and lots of it. The International Energy Agency confirmed Southeast Asia’s electricity generation from coal will rise from 32 percent today to 50 percent by 2040. That’s slower than predicted. But more countries are still using more coal, and with a much stronger environmental consciousness.

Washington state trading partners such as South Korea and Japan are investing in the world’s most advanced and efficient coal-fired power plants.

Washington state trading partners such as South Korea and Japan are investing in the world’s most advanced and efficient coal-fired power plants. I recently joined a trade mission with our governor to these countries. I witnessed firsthand as Japan is turning to coal to wean itself off of nuclear energy. I toured a South Korean plant that is revolutionizing coal technology, complemented by wind turbines and solar panels. These high-tech coal plants will power our democratic allies’ economies for the next 30-to-40 years. They’re not alone.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, China is expected to increase coal imports by nearly 100 million tons by 2040. Even Reuters reports a new Greenpeace statement citing active construction on at least 66 new coal power projects in China. Additionally, India’s coal-fired electricity generation is predicted to pass the current output of Japan, South Korea and Australia combined. The power from those plants will turn on the lights and provide refrigeration for the first time to millions of people.

Our neighbors in Japan and South Korea expect the same stable electricity resource that we enjoy here. Unfortunately, they are not blessed with the abundant natural resources found in the US. They must import more than 90% of the fuel that supplies their energy needs. And although we do see news stories on European counties being held hostage by Russia’s control of their natural gas supply, rarely does the news concern themselves with the energy security needs of our closest Asian allies. We believe the U.S. can serve this need and boost exports simultaneously. The timing works out perfect.

Even the author who termed coal “a risky bet,” continues to expect cleaner burning coal from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana to be competitive in overseas markets around 2020. That’s just about the time Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview expects to go online to boost exports.

The terminal projects thousands of new employment opportunities and will generate millions in new tax revenue each year for communities throughout the state.

We’ll also boost our local economy in the process. The terminal projects thousands of new employment opportunities and will generate millions in new tax revenue each year for communities throughout the state. With new ports being expanded up and down the West Coast, competition will be robust and potentially pose a threat to our state as the most trade-dependent in the nation. But those of us in Washington have never been afraid of a little competition.

This is why Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview is supported by a broad group of labor, agricultural and business organizations. They support expanding the state’s critical trade infrastructure and development of privately funded ports such as ours.

By investing nearly $680 million in Washington, Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview is planning for a longterm future. We’re focused on being good neighbors, building a world-class terminal and meeting or exceeding strict environmental regulations every step of the way. We’re less worried about shortterm market fluctuations. For us, and our partners, the reasons this project made sense when we started permitting four years ago, still hold true today and will hold true many years into the future. In Washington and elsewhere, you build infrastructure for the long-term.

Bill Chapman, President and CEO for Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview

 

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