Mead Appeals Oregon Decision to Reject Coal

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The state of Wyoming is appealing a recent decision by the state of Oregon to deny an application to build a coal terminal at Port of Morrow, on the Columbia River.

Wyoming has been pressing for access to ports to export coal to Asia, but has run into opposition in the Northwest.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead says Oregon's decision last month to block the coal terminal violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Wyoming claims the Oregon Department of State Lands denied the Coyote Island Terminal's application for a removal-fill permit because Oregon officials dislike coal.

Attempts to reach a spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of State Lands weren't immediately successful Monday. The agency's director said last month building the terminal would degrade the fishery on the Columbia River.