CASPER, Wyo. — Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon’s office said on Monday that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided it won’t hear a challenge from Wyoming and Montana against Washington state regarding the state’s decision to deny a permit for a proposed coal export terminal.
Gordon expressed dissatisfaction with the decision: “It is extremely frustrating that the U.S. Supreme Court failed to grant a hearing on the critical issue that this case raised. At some point the nation will have to figure out whether it expects to grow business or just to restrict it.”
Wyoming and Montana had challenged Washington’s denial of the permit for the coal export terminal, arguing that denial of the permit could harm the energy-rich state’s access to international markets.
Gordon said in the release that the specific case at hand was part of a much larger picture.
“This case was never about a single permit or product,” Gordon said. “It was about the ability of one state to engage in lawful interstate commerce without the interference of another state.”
“Today it is coal, tomorrow it could be agricultural products or any of our state’s abundant natural resources. At some point the Supreme Court is going to need to take on this matter.”
Gordon said he will remain committed to “continuing our efforts to export clean coal to assist countries in meeting their energy needs and climate goals.”
While Gordon expressed frustration with the Supreme Court’s decision, the Power Past Coal Coalition celebrated the dismissal of the case Monday, adding that they have helped block seven proposed coal export terminals in the Pacific Northwest.
