We in Southwest Washington are considering two major projects: a coal transfer station in Longview and an oil terminal facility in Vancouver. Opposition is often focused on public safety and pollution. Proponents are interested in jobs, revenue and economic development.
I believe both arguments have merit but are ultimately beside the point. Not that safety and jobs don’t matter (they do), but this issue affects more than our corner of the state. We are facing a global problem — climate change — and we’re only just beginning to see its effect on every continent. They say “all politics are local,” well, I think local politics can be global as well.
Even if run in perfect safety, these sites would, by definition, exist to enable and expand the use of fossil fuels. This amounts to “doubling down” on the wrong direction. I believe we can transition our society to sustainable energy, but we must begin by choosing not to invest in coal and oil.
We must reject these two proposals. I encourage our elected officials to do just that.
