I have been very interested in reporter Aaron Corvin’s lucid stories about the problems involved gaining approval for the proposed oil terminal at the Port of Vancouver.
The proposal, made by Tesoro and Savage Cos., is being examined by an evaluation council, which then makes a recommendation for or against approval to Gov. Jay Inslee.
Because of the complicated issues involved in building the largest oil-by-rail terminal in the U.S. here in Vancouver, the consulting company has requested more time to complete its studies. Not only are Tesoro, Savage and the port upset, but the evaluation council did not seem pleased about the delay. I attended the June meeting of the council and the chairman immediately asked for a firm schedule stating when the study will be completed.
In addition to marine and rail risk analysis, two major sticking points are emergency response and seismology. What could be more important to folks living anywhere near where these oil trains will pass?
