Rep. Sharon Wylie’s, R-Vancouver, House Bill 1449, which was backed by Gov. Jay Inslee, was a measure to strengthen safety requirements on oil transport. Right now, we have miles of trains carrying oil within 100 feet of our houses, businesses and our pristine waterfront.
Republican Reps. Paul Harris and Brandon Vick, both of Vancouver, and Liz Pike of Camas, with Vancouver’s Linda Wilson as their spokesperson, voted against this measure. These Republicans are in favor of a bill that addresses rail safety in a more “equitable” manner. They seem concerned that the Tesoro oil corporation was not being treated fairly; that thought is incomprehensible.
An oil spill, or even worse, a major oil fire would destroy the areas around us for decades.
If we should have a major incident, I hope these representatives know where their garden hoses are and can come running with their fire extinguishers because they do not seem to be taking this issue very serious.
