EDITORIAL: Coal is key for better Crow future
Rep. Ryan Zinke has been a strong supporter of Montana’s development of its coal resource, and has been especially outspoken about how Obama administration environmental rules will have a devastating effect on the Crow Tribe in Eastern Montana.
Coal, of course, is carbon — and carbon (in the form of greenhouse gas) is the root of most environmental evil in the eyes of many folks who are honestly terrified of man-made climate change.
But coal is also black gold, and for a largely impoverished community such as the Crow, it is asking a ridiculously large price to expect them to leave the coal in Asia.
Unfortunately, in addition to federal rules that restrict the domestic market for coal, there has also been a movement afoot to impede the development of ports that can accommodate the shipping of coal to China and elsewhere.
Obtaining permits for the Gateway Pacific Terminal in northwest Washington state has been a slow and lugubrious process, and every delay has meant that the Crow Tribe has been forced to wait for its chance to lift itself up by its bootstraps and achieve the American dream.
Last week, the tribe took a major step toward prosperity when it signed a deal with Cloud Peak Energy and SSA Marine to form a partnership in the Gateway Pacific Terminal. Hopefully, the tribe’s direct involvement will encourage Washington state to stop dragging its feet and allow Montana coal to pass through the state on rail and use the port to reach foreign markets.
In addition to its benefits for the Crow Tribe, the project is expected to create as many as 4,400 jobs during construction and 1,250 ongoing jobs.
Zinke and Sen. Steve Daines praised the agreement, as did Montana Attorney General Tim Fox.
“For too long, economic opportunity for the Crow has been stifled by outside bureaucrats and interests,” Zinke said. “Senator Daines and I remain committed to doing everything we can to see this project completed for the Crow Tribe and for Montana.”
Fox stressed that fair play and the rule of law need to carry the day, saying the announcement “further reinforces the need for a fair and lawful permitting review process, not one driven by politics toward a pre-determined outcome. Montana has interstate commerce rights under the U.S. Constitution and it would be inappropriate for a sister state to arbitrarily pick and choose what Montana goods can pass through on their way to market.”
We agree, and wish the Crow Tribe well as they seek to utilize their natural treasure to better the lives of their people.