US Rep Jim McDermott, D-Seattle is proposing USD 10 per tonne tax on every ton of mined coal in an effort to offset the cost of rail congestion, coal dust and other impacts of increased coal shipments through the Pacific Northwest.

The Seattle Times reported this week that the plan would be the first federal response to several proposals across Oregon and Washington for coal export terminals capable of shipping coal from the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana to Asian markets.

The tax would be dispersed among states to spend on mitigation issues and would generate USD 117 billion over the next 10 years. The senator had four co sponsors signed on earlier this year but the fate of the legislation appears doubtful.

Source - Sustainable Business Oregon.com

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