How can we convince the port commissioners that the proposed Tesoro oil terminal is a bad idea for Vancouver? Did they hear the message from 33 local business owners who packed their last meeting to ask them to reconsider their decision? Do they know that 12 neighborhood associations have rallied together to create resolutions to oppose the oil terminal? Have they read the Vancouver City Council resolution asking them to terminate the lease?
The port commissioners signed the lease before they knew that the terminal would handle the same crude oil that killed 47 people in the oil train explosion in Quebec on July 6, 2013. There have been at least five additional oil train explosions reported since then. Do the port commissioners know that the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters has serious concerns about the burdens placed on local communities to respond to oil fires and explosions?
Putting our health and safety at risk for short-term gains is not worth it. Please urge the port commissioners to cancel the Tesoro Savage lease.
Sharon Rickman
Vancouver
