The export facility would be shipping coal from the Powder River Basin to Asia.

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead said Oregon’s decision to block the coal port violated the commerce clause of the US Constitution.

The Wyoming Attorney General has appealed the Oregon Department of State Lands.

Wyoming asserts that Oregon’s decision to deny the permit is based on its dislike of a specific commodity – coal – and that Oregon did not base its decision on the factors it must consider under law.

This action impacts interstate and foreign commerce and comes at great cost to Wyoming taxpayers and other coal producing states, Wyoming will argue.

“Coal is the fastest growing fuel source in the world and this decision by the state of Oregon prevents Wyoming coal producers from competing in that marketplace,” Mead said.

“Wyoming will continue to stand up for the coal industry, which provides affordable power to people across the globe.

“We support coal, including efforts to innovate and work on cleaner energy from all sources.”