He also said Asia would keep burning more coal, regardless of where it comes from.

Asked if the company would be interested in assisting with expenses related to increased coal traffic, such as a new overpass or underpass for a railroad crossings, he said the discussion should begin with the railroad, and that the coal industry shouldn’t be singled out for such responsibilities when other users would also benefit from the West Coast ports — farmers, the wind energy industry and makers of solar panels, for example — and he suggested people wouldn’t go to farmers in Eastern Montana and ask them to pay for railway upgrades.

“The reason we’re hearing this big discussion about coal is because it’s a political discussion being promoted by special-interest groups,” he said.

The Sierra Club office in Missoula did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Helena City Commissioner Dan Ellison said the letter under consideration to the Army Corps of Engineers, which has the authority to allow the West Coats ports, would address concerns including the impact at railway crossings, but he said that might not be the best approach.