Using independent poll-runner Elway Research and a respondent group of 406 individuals statewide that it questioned earlier this month, the alliance said 60% of those surveyed were in favor of the planned growth, which includes the Port Westward facility and the Gateway Pacific terminal in Bellingham.
There were 30% opposed to the developments, which would ship coal as well as iron ore, potash, and agricultural products, and another 10% were undecided.
Specifically, 37% said they “strongly support” developing the ports, 23% said they would “somewhat support” the expansion, 9% reported they would “somewhat oppose” it and 22% were in the “strongly oppose” category.
The poll had a 5% margin of error.
“This respected, independent poll confirms that support for these important bulk commodity terminals remains strong, despite opponents’ claims to the contrary,” spokeswoman Lauri Hennessey said.
“People understand the importance of exports and trade to our region, as well as the real impact these projects will have on our local communities through the creation of thousands of family-wage jobs and millions in tax revenue.”
The alliance said this was not the first time in the past year Washington residents had spoken their minds in support of the terminals.
It cited a poll by Gallatin Public Affairs that found 56.6% of Washington voters and 54.5% of Oregon voters supported coal exports and another poll released by the Gateway Pacific Terminal last fall showed 56% of individuals in nearby Whatcom and Skagit counties favored its proposed facility.
Additionally, the alliance said, a poll by Moore Information this January found 74% supported additional rail and barge traffic for the projects, viewing it as “crucial to Washington’s export economy and a sign of economic growth”. That was compared to a 15% respondent group that said train and barge traffic should not increase.
“I expect this independent poll may surprise some people,” United Transportation Union Washington state legislative director Herb Krohn said.
“With their media misinformation campaign, opponents of these export terminals have been doing their best to create the impression that they speak for many others,” he said.
“This survey confirms what we’ve known for some time – namely, that opponents represent just an extremely loud but small minority.”
As Washington Farm Bureau vice president Steve Cooper noted, the facilities mean jobs.
“But they also mean needed investment in transportation infrastructure that will benefit export of all commodities through our ports,” he said.
There are three proposed terminals in four different ports to be developed independently by four different companies.
The potential facilities include the Gateway Pacific terminal in Bellingham, the Longview Millennium Bulk terminal in Washington state and the Morrow Pacific project in Oregon.
The Alliance for Northwest Jobs and Exports includes more than 60 businesses, labor, civic and other organizations representing nearly 400,000 individuals.
