I congratulate our community on its significant victory in rejecting Big Oil’s failed efforts to turn America’s Vancouver into an oil town. However, I don’t want us to blame BNSF Railway for the errors of our Port of Vancouver elected officials.
Here are some facts you may not be aware of about BNSF Railway and Vancouver. BNSF first arrived in Southwest Washington, near Vancouver, in 1873 and became a major employer at the turn of the century and was the area’s largest employer for several decades.
Today, there are over 600 BNSF employees based out of Vancouver, and BNSF will add another 40 projected here in 2018.
BNSF serves approximately 100 customers in the Vancouver-Portland terminal complex, moving freight that we all depend on. BNSF removes an average of 16,000 trucks daily off of I-5 through Vancouver, helping to relieve the terrible congestion.
During my time as mayor, and continuing today, BNSF has supported numerous community programs providing thousands of dollars in Vancouver/Clark County including: Salvation Army, Share House, Clark County Food Bank, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, The Historic Trust, Clark County Historical Museum, Klineline Kids Fishing Program, Salmon Creek Hospital Foundation, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, CDM Services, Neighbors on Watch, Clark College Athletics, Clark County Search and Rescue … and others I may not know about.
As a common carrier, BNSF is obligated by federal law to handle all types of freight, and they take safety in the Vancouver area most seriously. They have rebuilt Vancouver’s yard with new and safer rail. Also, there are cameras, sensors and detectors throughout the Vancouver terminal to ensure the safe handling of trains.
Positive train control with satellite and computer technology is currently in place to prevent collisions on mainlines through Vancouver.
Of the hazardous materials that BNSF handles, over 99.99 percent has moved without incident systemwide. Our state has not had a fatality as a result of a BNSF hazardous commodity release in nearly 40 years.
Major investments made
BNSF has trained over 300 local agency emergency responders in the last three years and sent 20 local responders to Colorado for extensive crude-by-rail training.
BNSF has invested over $900 million in track improvements in our state in the last five years and considers safety the top priority!!
While trains may not be your favorite, we do need to appreciate BNSF’s efforts over the past 182 years of providing jobs and aiding our regional economic development. How many other big companies have been here as long and understand that supporting a community is good for everyone? Many other companies in Vancouver could learn from BNSF.
Vancouver has had issues with BNSF over the years, dealing with property right-of-way access and speed concerns, and there will be some challenges ahead.
However, for the economic opportunities created for our city and region and with BNSF’s continued safety emphasis and community outreach, I give BNSF a pat on the back.
