When discussing Tesoro’s crude oil rail terminal in Vancouver, I’ve taken an alarmist tone. A smoke detector sounds alarmist, too, to warn of potential danger. I talk about the terminal like I’m taking it personally. The project proposes 230,000 pounds every year of poisonous and cancer-causing emissions, about a mile from my house. While we sleep, play in the yard, eat breakfast and have family movie night, my children and I would breathe a little bit of poison gas. So for us, it’s personal.
But a collaborative tone is important, too.
The city isn’t our enemy. Far from it. The Vancouver City Council stands to potentially be our greatest ally. Their charge is to keep Vancouver safe and prosperous, and as they learn about the danger and negative economic impact from this project, they voice increasing concern. You can’t fight City Hall, but it turns out we don’t need to.
The Port of Vancouver isn’t our enemy either. Tasked with promoting Clark County’s economic vitality, they’re catastrophically mistaken about this project. But in protecting our health, safety, environment and economy, a port that corrects its mistakes could be our greatest ally of all.
Eric LaBrant
Vancouver
