The group, which includes large Powder River Basin operator members Peabody Energy, Arch Coal and Cloud Peak Energy, officially launched Thursday to promote the economic benefits of expanding coal exports from the region.

In all, the non-profit has 22 members that also include railroads, coal terminal developers and union groups.

Gunderson Marin and Vigor Industrial, two companies whose barge businesses will grow if Ambre Energy’s plans for the Morrow-Pacific terminal on the Columbia River in Oregon come to fruition, are also part of the group.

It is just one of many planned projects that would increase export capacity; others include Port Westward, Gateway Pacific and Millennium Bulk.

“Trade and exports have played a central role in the Washington and Oregon economies for decades,” the ANJE said, adding that one in four jobs in the region is tied to the tax revenue-heavy trade industry.

United Transportation Union Washington state legislative director Herb Krohn said economic recovery was slow across many sectors in the Northwest, particularly labor.

“We need to get involved, take action and stimulate job growth by supporting exports,” he said.

Earlier this week, Ambre announced signed letters of intent with both Gunderson and Vigor to build 20 covered coal barges should the project be developed.

The barges would cost more than $75 million and employ 350 workers or more, the company said.

Alliance spokesperson Lauri Hennessey said it was the increased Asian demand for US export coal that led other countries to upgrade their infrastructure, and the US needed to follow suit.

“To remain competitive, alliance members believe the Northwest needs to invest in new export infrastructure and take advantage of the economic opportunities made available by exporting coal,” she said.

“We can build these projects and benefit from the jobs and new tax revenue, or we can sit back and watch them go somewhere else.”