Concerns over coal dust have led to recent backlash against the terminals at Port Westward, including demands for further study from Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and a move to by potential neighbor Portland General Electric to block one of the projects.
Kinder Morgan’s terminal is one of two proposed at Port Westward and is very different from another proposed by Ambre Energy. Ambre plans to haul coal to Port Westward by barge, while coal would arrive by train at the Kinder Morgan terminal. A “transloading” system that uses a giant auger and enclosed conveyors would transfer coal from barges to boats. No coal would be stockpiled on the site.