As general manager of Vancouver Energy, I find the June 3 online story, “Vancouver Energy files ‘May surprise,’ revising application,” and the June 7 editorial “Don’t derail this lesson: Train crash in Gorge town of Mosier, Ore., stark illustration of oil terminal’s threat,” are based on a faulty premise.
Filing a revised application to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council is clearly anticipated by existing regulations. Washington Administrative Code 463-60-116 (2) states: “Amendments to a pending application must be presented to the council at least thirty days prior to the commencement of the adjudicative hearing.” Indeed, the regulations also allow for amendments after the conclusion of the hearing.
The revised application isn’t a new document — it’s an update that shows progress leading to an improved project. It includes design refinements and results of studies and analyses that respond to issues raised during the review process.
The goal is to provide the most current description of all commitments made by Vancouver Energy thus far to further eliminate, minimize and mitigate impacts. The application update was discussed with the council’s staff for months and largely incorporates information we previously submitted. It’s available on the council’s website, including a summary table and a version that tracks every change.
Civil, fact-based news and discussion is better for our community and leads to improved solutions.
