By Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky, Senior Organizer
If it wasn’t crystal clear before, it is now: the boom-bust cycle of dirty fossil fuel terminals is a dangerous venture for the Columbia River. Falling oil prices recently caused Global Partners to shutter a fully-operational Bakken crude-by-rail terminal at Port Westward near Clatskanie, Oregon.
Columbia Riverkepeer’s Executive Director Brett VandenHeuvel had this to say about Global’s announcement:
“Hitching your economic wagon to the boom and bust oil industry is extremely risky, and here the Port of St. Helens got burned. We've always known crude oil has serious human health and environmental risks; Global Partners' decision makes clear that crude-by-rail is also a risky investment for public ports. I’m hopeful that new leadership at the Port and the State of Oregon will find a more sustainable solution for jobs and the environment.”
You can read more about the news in The Oregonian and The Longview Daily News.
The Port of Vancouver is considering building the largest oil terminal in North America and the Port of Longview is entertaining the idea of an oil refinery. These ports must look to Port Westward, a port that has struck out three times with fossil fuels (twice with coal and now oil), and strive to innovate, not re-create, the failures of dirty fossil fuel development.
Everyone at Columbia Riverkeeper is so inspired by all the accomplishments of Columbia County residents. From the attempt to rezone valuable farmland, to Connect Oregon and coal export victories, and the constant voice of reason at port and county meetings, all along, dedicated river advocates are standing up for clean water and safe communities.
