By Dan Serres, Conservation Director
In mid-June, an impressive array of cities, agencies, tribes, and other parties joined Riverkeeper and our partners in submitting emphatic testimony urging Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to reject Tesoro and Savage companies’ application for the largest oil-by-rail terminal in North America. Taken together, the opening arguments submitted by over a dozen groups should persuade both EFSEC and Governor Inslee to deny the Vancouver Energy proposal, which would bring four or more trains each day into Vancouver – trains like the one that derailed, spilled oil, and burned into the night in Mosier on June 3, 2016.
Citing public safety concerns, spill risks, and the disturbing oil train fire in Mosier, Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) called for denial of the Tesoro project:
“Because of the potential for tremendous catastrophic loss associated with shipment of crude-by-rail, and the difficulty in adequately assessing the frequency at which disasters will occur, EFSEC simply cannot provide adequate assurance in a draft site certification agreement that the safeguards associated with the Proposal are ‘technically sufficient for [public] welfare and protection’ or ensure ‘that the location and operation of such facilities will produce minimal adverse effects on the environment’ as required…DNR respectfully submits that the evidence as whole compels the conclusion that the application for site certification for the Proposal should be denied.”
And the Washington Attorney General’s Counsel for the Environment offered this blunt assessment of the “significant and unprecedented” impacts of the Vancouver Energy oil train terminal:
“Human error piloting a vessel in the Columbia River or one broken bolt on a track could lead to a significant environmental and public safety disaster.”
With the town of Mosier and the region still grappling with Union Pacific’s recent oil train derailment, fire, and spill, EFSEC should heed the testimony from Washington DNR and its Counsel for the Environment and use its earliest opportunity to recommend denial of Vancouver Energy. Throughout this month, the Cities of Vancouver and Spokane, along with tribal nations, Riverkeeper, and our partners (represented by Earthjustice) will be offering detailed evidence to support the case against Vancouver Energy. You can read more about the arguments against Tesoro’s oil terminal and the adjudication process here.
City of Vancouver Poised to Take Action:
As EFSEC continues its evaluation of the proposed oil terminal in a month-long, trial-like hearing, the residents of Vancouver and its City Council aren’t waiting idly without taking action. On July 18, the City of Vancouver will hold a public hearing and likely vote on a new proposed ordinance that would prohibit crude-by-rail facilities in Vancouver. Please mark your calendar and join us Monday, July 18!
- City of Vancouver Public Hearing & Vote on Prohibiting Oil Terminals
- Monday, July 18, 2016: (March to City Hall Begins at 6:00pm, Hearing at 7:00pm)
- Vancouver City Hall. 415 West 6th Street. Vancouver, WA 98660
- Contact dan@columbiariverkeeper.org for more details.
The City of Vancouver is being proactive in protecting Vancouver’s residents, businesses, schools, and visitors from the risk and pollution associated with bulk crude oil storage and handling. City staff and Vancouver’s Planning Commission have recommended that the City Council prohibit bulk crude oil storage, handling, and refining in the City’s industrial zones. The move would make Vancouver’s moratorium on new oil facilities permanent and binding, while also sending a strong message to Governor Inslee that Vancouver has better plans for its waterfront than a polluting, dangerous oil-by-rail terminal.
Plans are still in the works for a march to City Hall in support of the proposed ordinance, so please email dan@columbiariverkeeper.org if you plan to attend and want more information.
