Chinese coal company eyes Montana

HELENA – Executives with a Chinese company are meeting with the governor and his staff this week, discussing the possibility of building a coal plant in Montana.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s chief economic development aide Evan Barrett said discussions with the Yankuang Group were not focused on a specific project.

“They’re kicking tires,” Barrett said.

Executives from the company met with Schweitzer’s staff on Monday to learn more about the state in general. They were scheduled to tour Montana coal fields Tuesday before meeting with regulatory staff on Wednesday to learn about the process of getting permits in Montana.

The governor’s office said Yankuang controls China’s second-largest coal company, Yan Zhou Coal.

“It’s a large company, and through intermediaries we understand they have an interest in the United States in advanced coal development,” Barrett said. “We made contact and worked to get this set up.”

He said the company is interested in building a coal-to-liquids plant, touted as the next generation of clean coal technology, and a staple of Schweitzer’s agenda.

Billings Gazette