Coal Export

Communities in Oregon and Washington are weighing the prospect of coal export facilities. Proponents of shipping American coal to Asia argue that coal will bring significant economic benefits to the region. In this research memo, we examine the risks of coal markets, review the history of coal exports on the West Coast, and evaluate the employment dimensions of coal terminals.

Contents:

1. Coal is “the most risky bulk mineral market”
2. Coal has a history of failure on the West Coast
3. Coal export is a poor strategy for jobs
4. Case studies: Clean redevelopments provide more jobs

Also see:

• Coal Export FAQ
• Sightline’s blog series “Northwest Coal Exports”