In an effort to prepare for the increase in crude-by-rail traveling through Washington, the state’s Department of Ecology is working on rules to strengthen safety measures.
“It’s still a new dynamic,” Ecology spokeswoman Lisa Copeland said of oil traveling by train.
Starting Tuesday, the state’s Department of Ecology is kicking off a series of workshops for the public, local and tribal governments and stakeholders to weigh in on draft oil transport rules. The workshops will take place in Lacey, Auburn and Spokane, but some of them will be available by live conference call or webinar.
Department officials are considering three rules: the first deals with notice requirements for facilities that receive crude oil, the second tackles contingency plan requirements for railroads, and the third updates a current oil-spill contingency plan for pipeline.
Meetings on proposed oil rules
Rule on oil movement by rail and pipeline notification:
• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Department of Ecology’s headquarters, 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey. This meeting also is available by webinar or conference call. See details at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/rules/Webinar1513.pdf
• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the department’s eastern region office, 4601 N. Monroe St., Spokane.
Rule on oil spill contingency plans for railroads:
• 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, at the department’s eastern region office, 4601 N. Monroe St., Spokane.
• 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. next Monday at the department’s headquarters, 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey. This meeting also is available by webinar or conference call. See details at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/rules/Webinar1513.pdf
Rule update on oil spill contingency plan standards for pipelines:
• 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 4 at Green River Community College, in the River Room of the student union building, 12401 S.E. 320th St., Auburn. This meeting also is available by webinar or conference call. See details at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/rules/Webinar1513.pdf
For those interested in safer oil transport, the meetings will be informational, Copeland said, but also give the public a chance to give input.
“We’re hoping to have a lot of people,” she said.
During the 2015 legislative session, legislators passed a measure requiring railroads transporting crude to have a contingency plan in place and show the ability to pay for a cleanup.
Previously, railroads were not required to have a contingency plan.
The bill also called for increased transparency by calling on oil refineries to share information with the state about the type, source and amount of oil they move. The proposed rule also will create standards for facilities to follow when sharing the information as well as identifying what the Department of Ecology will share with the public and first responders.
“Timely notice of oil movement information is needed for emergency responders and planners to effectively prepare for and respond to oil spills and other accidents associated with the transport of crude oil by rail and pipeline,” the department’s website reads. “Providing adequate information will help to protect the lives of people living and working near railroads and pipelines, the economy, and environmental resources of Washington.”
A proposed crude-by-rail transfer terminal at the Port of Vancouver could be the nation’s largest oil terminal.
Abbi Russell, a spokeswoman with the port, said port officials will likely keep an eye on the evolution of the draft rules. While the upcoming workshops are largely informational in nature, there will be a more formal public comment period later this spring.
Russell said ensuring safe oil transport is one of the port’s highest priorities and part of the 2016 legislative agenda.
Whether the Vancouver Energy oil transport terminal is built, “this is an important issue,” Russell said.
“We want to ensure it’s a priority at all levels,” she said.
