Port of Vancouver Commissioner Jerry Oliver would stifle public comment on the oil terminal, as reported in the May 1 editorial “Port: Let the public speak.” Why? The reasons for this project are evaporating.
U.S. oil companies are losing money, going bankrupt, and laying off thousands. Oil-based economies are in deep budget trouble. In 2013, Vancouver Energy promised jobs. 2016 — no jobs. 2018 — most likely no jobs yet. 2020 — maybe some jobs, but how many? Technology, automation, and market conditions are reducing oil jobs.
Tesoro touts U.S. energy independence as a reason for the oil terminal. Not true: Tesoro successfully lobbied to lift the ban on export of U.S. crude oil. Tesoro would export U.S. crude oil. Tesoro will export refined products to China and Asia (e.g. manufacturing xylene) before refining gasoline for the West Coast market. Even though U.S. crude oil stockpiles are at their highest levels in 80 years, Tesoro buys crude oil on the world market from wherever it is cheapest.
The port commissioners and Vancouver Energy are not acting in the best interests of the people of Clark County. Who can wait four more years for a job? Find another port tenant with real jobs and not empty promises.
