It’s possible that the largest oil-by-rail terminal in North America could be setting up shop at terminal 5 at the Port of Vancouver.”A terminal that could bring up to 5 rail cars a day just like the one that derailed in Mosier,” said one activist. Along with many in the community, ILWU Local 4 opposes the oil terminal.
As the adjudication process for the Vancouver Energy Project continues, officials on both sides of the issue are speaking out. They’ve been arguing their case to members of the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council since late June.
Now the City of Vancouver is saying they don’t want the Tesoro-Savage oil terminal in Vancouver. City Council member Bart Hansen represented the city in a work session on July 13.
Hansen is worried an oil-by-rail incident would have a significant impact on the city.
“This comes down to planes, trains and automobiles,” Hansen said. “There are your automobiles, PDX air traffic comes right through here, we have river traffic and rail traffic there. If there was an accident, transportation would shut down in all types in the region.”
The City of Vancouver is holding a public hearing on July 18 at 7 p.m. to discuss the issue further.
