A draft environmental impact statement (EIS) has finally been released for the proposed Millennium Bulk Terminals coal export project in Longview. The project was first proposed back in February 2012.

Environmental reviews can take a few months or several years. They must be complete before permits can be issued. One reason that this review is taking so long is that Cowlitz County and the Department of Ecology decided in 2014 to include in the EIS an evaluation of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the end-use of the coal exported through the facility to other countries.

Expanded environmental reviews like this were the subject of a report we wrote in 2014. As we wrote then, such expanded reviews

. . .could impact international trade and interstate commerce, as well as increase uncertainty for business and reduce the timeliness of the SEPA process. Ultimately, Washington’s competitiveness will suffer.

Today, Kris Johnson of the Association of Washington Business said,

Washington’s regulatory process has become longer and more uncertain, which sends the wrong message to employers. We are glad to see today’s release of the draft EIS for Millennium, but remain concerned other companies will not be willing to tolerate the delays of Washington’s permitting system and will not bring the needed investment to our state.