On July 1st, activists held a mock fundraiser for the troubled Australian coal company Ambre Energy at their Portland, Oregon office. The creative protest was part of an ongoing campaign to expose the truth about the company.
Despite its desire to build the first new coal export facilities in the Pacific Northwest, Ambre Energy continues to face massive public opposition and permitting setbacks, while struggling to court investors. At the end of May, Ambre Energys removal-fill permit was delayed for an eighth time by Oregons Department of State Lands. And last year, Ambre was forced to give up substantial ownership shares to the private equity firm Resource Capital Funds (RCF) to avoid financial insolvency.
Activist hold mock fundraiser for struggling coal company Ambre Energy outside Portland, OR headquarters.
Now, Ambre is backing a public handout to the tune of two million dollars to fund its dirty coal export project on the Columbia River. Prioritizing coal and other dangerous fossil fuel projects means that other transportation projects will be ignored. Bike, pedestrian and public transit programs that promote lower carbon and affordable options just wont happen.
This is why local activists performed in front of Ambres office to highlight the economic risks of coal exports. Theyre asking folks to attend the July 17th hearing and give comments to the Oregon Transportation Commission opposing the misuse of public money.
We agree with Governor Kitzhaber when he said, it is time once and for all to say no to coal export from the Pacific Northwest. Using taxpayer money to finance risky fossil fuel projects sends the wrong message and certainly doesnt move us toward a clean energy future.
Fortunately, communities across the west are winning the fight against coal. Whether at the mines in Montana or coal export terminal proposals in the Pacific Northwest, people are mobilizing. Thousands in Oregon and Washington have signed petitions urging RCF executives to drop their investment in Ambre Energy.
The State of Oregon Should not subsidize risky fossil fuel projects, backed by a company with a poor financial track record. We can do better than coal exports.
