The 45-day public comment period for our Draft EIS has come to a close. We are especially grateful to over a thousand supporters who attended public hearings in Longview, Spokane and Pasco.

We’ve compiled a rundown of media coverage from the two weeks of public meetings. These stories provided a clear and objective take on our proposed project, and we encourage you to share them with friends and family.

1. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and Senator Michael Baumgartner wrote in to The Spokesman-Review, easing concerns over the project’s proposal to increase rail traffic, “From a public-safety perspective, it’s important to dispel the notion that the growth of rail here will have a negative effect on the ability of first responders to keep our community safe. It won’t.”  

Read the full article: Spokane can balance rail traffic, safety and jobs

2. The Daily News examined the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, as well as National Ambient Air Quality Standards and the Clean Air Act. Their conclusion: “We don’t see coal dust as an issue based on Ecology’s draft environmental impact statement findings.”

Read the full article: Dust and demand: Do they matter?

3.  Another article from The Daily News clarifies the affect Millennium’s coal will have on the environment:  “Millennium’s coal is destined for Asian markets and is replacement coal. The DEIS says 97 percent of the coal shipped through MBT would replace coal from other markets. This is not creating additional coal burning, but instead replacing a dirtier burning product with a cleaner one.”

Read the full article: Fact or Fiction: Setting the Millennium record straight

4. The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board weighs in on the debate, highlighting the absurdity of holding transportation companies responsible for mitigating the end use of products they ship. The board then goes on to endorse the project, stating, “In addition to the economic benefits the project would provide, it would be better to have companies like BNSF and Millennium Bulk Terminals — who must comply with state environmental rules — be involved in the shipping of coal rather than other countries who won’t be as careful.”

Read the full article: Avoid red herrings in coal train debate

5. Northwest Public Radio recaps the Pasco hearing, reporting, “More than 100 people showed up today in Pasco to a final public hearing for a proposed coal export terminal. And most of them supported it.” 

Read the full article: Final Coal Hearing Draws Supporters, Opponents to Comment

6. The Daily News offers an in-depth look at the jobs our project would create, “According to the draft environmental impact statement, there would be 112 jobs in the initial phases. That would rise to 135 jobs at full-build out in 2028 with an annual payroll of $16 million.” The article also highlights the 165 estimated indirect jobs it is calculated the project would bring.

Read the full article: A more detailed look at Millennium’s job numbers