FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CRUDE OIL EXPORT VOTE THREATENS MORE OIL TRAIN TRAFFIC ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER
Dec. 16, 2015 (Vancouver, WA)–The U.S. Senate is poised to lift the 40-year ban on exporting raw U.S.-drilled crude oil from the United States. The Senate’s action would enable the proposed Tesoro oil-by-rail terminal in Vancouver, WA, to export oil to foreign countries in Asia.
“We suspected all along that Tesoro was aiming to ship U.S. oil overseas,” said Don Orange, owner of Hoesly Automotive in Vancouver and founder of Vancouver 101, a group of businesses opposed to the Tesoro Savage oil terminal. “To use our town and the Columbia River as the nation’s biggest oil export hub is unconscionable. We’re calling on Governor Inslee and Washington EFSEC to deny Tesoro’s export terminal.”
“Tesoro has worked behind the scenes to lift the ban on oil export,” said Brett VandenHeuvel Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper. “Now Tesoro could export a massive volume of oil to Asia through Vancouver, threatening our communities with dangerous oil trains.”
If approved by the State of Washington, the Tesoro Savage oil terminal in Vancouver would be the largest oil-by-rail facility in North America, resulting in four more loaded oil trains coming through our region, oil supertankers traveling down our waterways, and increased risk of oil spills and accidents.
About Columbia Riverkeeper
Columbia Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. Representing over 8,000 members and supporters, Columbia Riverkeeper works to restore a Columbia River where people can safely eat the fish they catch, and where children can swim without fear of toxic exposure. The organization is a member of Waterkeeper Alliance, the world’s fastest growing environmental movement, uniting more than 200 Waterkeeper organizations worldwide. For more information go to columbiariverkeeper.org.
