The Morrow Pacific coal export proposal is effectively on hold until next year.

The Oregon Department of State Lands denied a key permit needed to construct a terminal at the Coyote Island terminal at Boardman’s Port of Morrow back in August.

The decision was a blow to the $242 million project. But backers, including the port appealed. Following a pre-hearing conference this week, the administrative law judge is tentatively scheduled to hear the formal case the week of Dec. 7 to 15, 2015.

More from the Portland Business Journal