Environmental -- 2019



Lighthouse Resources Inc. v. Inslee   (W.D. Wash.)

State interference with free trade

The NAM filed an amicus brief in a case involving the state of Washington’s authority to prohibit certain exports from Washington’s coastal ports. Washington state denied several environmental permits necessary to construct a new coal export terminal near Longview, Washington. The denials were improperly based on climate concerns about the use of coal for electricity generation in foreign countries. The state’s actions have dangerous implications for the power of individual states to interfere with interstate and international trade. The NAM’s amicus brief argued that this interference is unconstitutional and harms the national economy. Unfortunately, the district court rejected the plaintiffs' claims. The plaintiff appealed to the 9th Circuit, where the NAM filed another amicus brief on their behalf.


Related Documents:
NAM brief  (March 11, 2019)
NAM brief  (May 3, 2018)