The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that B.C. Liberal leader Christy Clark says her threat of a ban or a tax on thermal coal exports will proceed regardless of whether Canada and the United States reach an agreement on softwood lumber. The Globe's Ian Bailey writes that Ms. Clark announced her desire to target thermal coal exports, most of which comes from the United States, as part of the province's response to the U.S. decision to impose tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber. Ms. Clark told The Globe's B.C. bureau Wednesday that targeting thermal coal was the "right thing to do." She claims this is a measure she had long been planning and had discussed with Jay Inslee, the Governor of Washington State, who she said shared her concerns. However, Ms. Clark said Washington and other states lacked the power to impose their own bans on thermal coal. She said she held off taking action to avoid disrupting talks on a new softwood-lumber agreement. "The coal is the dirtiest electricity-producing product out there," Ms. Clark said. The measures would also apply to coal imported into B.C. from neighbouring Alberta. Much of the coal transits Westshore's terminal in Delta.