The company that had sought to build a coal export facility along the Columbia River in Eastern Oregon said it will exit the project.
According to the Portland Business Journal, Lighthouse Resources Inc., formerly known as Ambre Energy, made the announcement as it revealed it has started shipping U.S. Powder River Basin coal to Asia through Vancouver, B.C.-based Westshore Terminals.
The Morrow Pacific project would have instead moved Powder River Basin coal by rail to the Port of Morrow, then moved it by barge down the Columbia before transloading at the Port of St. Helens.
The Oregon Department of State Lands had rejected a permit that would have allowed Lighthouse to move 8 million tons of coal through Morrow each year. Lighthouse had appealed the decision but, in announcing the Westshore plans, noted that it will no longer pursue the appeal.
The Port of Morrow also appealed the decision. A ruling on the Portl’s appeal could arrive next month.
To read the full story, visit the Portland Business Journal website.
