Information coming to light since the recent oil train fire in North Dakota brings up significant concerns regarding the proposed Tesoro oil terminal at the Port of Vancouver.
This oil is a light crude that has a high content of volatile organic compounds that make it highly flammable, including benzene, toluene, xylene, and hexane. Last year, 47 people were incinerated by one of these oil trains in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. With the high VOC content, it’s no wonder the fires rage the way they do.
The train that caught fire in North Dakota was headed to a terminal in Missouri where it was to be loaded on barges for the trip to the refinery. Prior to being loaded the VOCs must be removed, which is largely done by evaporation or flaring. Benzene is a known carcinogen, in addition to being highly flammable.
This situation alone should be enough to reject this oil terminal.
Jon Cole
Ridgefield
