Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Faux Environmentalists Continue to Stifle Coal Exports; Slow Montana's Economy -- Nothing To Do With The Bakken

Link here to Fairfield Sun Times.
Although the benefits of an expansion at the Spring Creek mine are obvious, whether the project will be able to proceed is far from certain.  Global demand for coal is projected to increase significantly in coming years, but existing shipping ports on the West Coast are currently at capacity.  In order to ship more coal, grain, and other Montana commodities to overseas markets, new terminals need to be built.  Environmental groups have launched a new campaign against the ports to delay or prevent their construction.
Summary:
An economic analysis of a proposed expansion of the Spring Creek Mine near Decker shows significant, positive impacts for Montana, including over 1,400 new jobs, a nearly $60 million increase in income for Montanans, and over $70 million in new tax revenue for state and local governments.
Data points (numbers rounded; exact numbers at link):
  • 1,500 jobs, in many sectors, all regions of Montana
  • $60 million in income on an annual basis; $50 million after-tax for household spending
  • $70 million/year in state government revenue
  • the current worker at the Spring Creek Mine: $100,000 in wage and benefits, far above median wage in Montana

2 comments:

  1. Doggone it!

    It is singularly inappropriate to call those folks "environmentalists" and exclude the rest of us. You have never ever met a sentient adult who is not an environmentalist.

    Everybody cares. We should care enough to keep extremists from stealing our word.

    If you must, call them environmental activists, or environmental extremists or even environmental attorneys (if it fits). But never,ever call them environmentalists in a way that discredits citizens who have expertise and experience.

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    Replies
    1. My bad. I generally refer to them as faux-environmentalists.

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