So, the federal regulation requiring oil trains to modernize braking systems for safety has been repealed (“Trump administration rolls back oil train safety rules,” Dec. 6). This didn’t stop proponents of the proposed oil terminal at our Port of Vancouver from showing up at the Dec. 12 commission meeting, offering assurances that Vancouver Energy and BNSF Railway are committed to following strict regulations to protect us from “unlikely” occurrences (like in Mosier, Ore.) that might make us unsafe.
One proponent offered this: “BNSF Railway committed to major improvements to its rail lines and operation procedures.” However, BNSF Railway was part of heavy industry pressure to reverse the Department of Transportation’s regulation requiring oil trains to phase in modernized braking systems by 2021. BNSF CEO Matthew Rose is on record stating in 2015 that the rail industry would not accept the requirement for those modernized electronically controlled pneumatic brakes. So much for BNSF’s “commitment” to safety improvements that would protect the 25 million people living along the tracks carrying those oil trains.
Gov. Jay Inslee should take this into account and follow the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council’s recommendation to say “no” to the proposed oil terminal. That will be protection we can count on.
