Congressman Zinke to Governor Inslee: Don’t let Gateway Pacific Become the Next Keystone

Today, in a letter to Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Congressman Ryan Zinke urged the governor to act swiftly on the Gateway Pacific Terminal (GPT) infrastructure project and not let the project suffer the same bureaucratic fate as the Keystone XL pipeline. If built, the terminal will give the Crow Nation a port to export their coal to Pacific Rim markets where its coal is valued at more than $1.5 trillion. The project is expected to create more than 4,000 direct jobs in the State of Washington and countless more jobs in Montana in the agriculture, manufacturing, energy and rail industries.

Zinke wrote: “Our states have a long history of working together, and this project will be a prosperous opportunity for Washington and Montana to lead America into an energy independent future.  As the EIS process continues, I respectfully ask that you assist with the completion of the draft and permitting process for the terminal. I also urge you to support the Crow’s involvement in discussions about the fate of the GPT with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Washington-based tribes. I cannot stress enough how access to this terminal will revitalize the Crow Nation and empower thousands of its members who remain unemployed. I urge you Governor: Please do not let the GPT infrastructure project become the next Keystone XL pipeline.”

Project organizers first submitted a proposal to Washington State, the Army Corps of Engineers and the federal government more than two years ago.