Wyoming governor vetoes coal-export terminal lawsuit bill

Wyoming’s governor has vetoed a bill that would have allowed the state Legislature to sue the state of Washington over coal exports.

Republican Gov. Mark Gordon said Friday it’s important for Wyoming to “speak with one voice” on the issue of coal-export litigation.

Wyoming is the top coal-producing state. Wyoming’s coal industry seeks to export more coal overseas to offset declining demand for coal from electric utilities in the U.S.

The developer of a proposed coal-export facility at Longview, Washington, is suing the state of Washington for denying a crucial permit for the $680 million project. Wyoming and five other states have filed friend-of-the-court briefs siding with the developer.

Wyoming lawmakers argued that a friend-of-the-court brief doesn’t go far enough and Wyoming should file its own lawsuit.