LONDON: Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead said he expects ports in the Northwest ultimately will allow coal exports from the Powder River Basin to Asia, but doesn’t know when.
Mead met with industry and government officials in Japan and India last month on a trade mission.
Mead said it’s critical that Wyoming get access to Asian coal markets.
Wyoming is the nation’s leading coal-producing state. It’s looking for new markets to make up for slipping domestic demand caused by low natural gas prices and tougher environmental regulations.
Wyoming and Montana face opposition in the Northwest to their coal-export plans. Proposed coal terminal projects in Washington and Oregon are under review.
Environmentalists oppose the prospect of trains hauling coal and say they’re concerned burning coal causes global warming.
