Boardman Coal Flip-Flop

Westbound PGEX Boardman coal loads at Hat Rock on the Washy - 2004

The coal hauling contract for the Portland General Electric Boardman, Oregon coal plant, has flipped back and forth between the UP and the BN/BNSF. In the summer of 2004, the BNSF had it, which afforded the view above of BNSF Powder River power on UP rails. The plant is scheduled to close in 2020. The PGE nixed a plan to spend $500 million in 2017 to keep the plant operating until 2040.