In this Nov. 7, 2013 photo, a train hauls oil into Glacier National Park near the Badger-Two Medicine National Forest in northwest Montana. Companies proposing to build the nation’s largest oil-by-rail marine terminal in southwest Washington state and their foes will argue their cases before a state energy panel in Vancouver, Washington, on Monday. (Matthew Brown / Associated Press, File)

In this Nov. 7, 2013 photo, a train hauls oil into Glacier National Park near the Badger-Two Medicine National Forest in northwest Montana. Companies proposing to build the nation’s largest oil-by-rail marine terminal in southwest Washington state and their foes will argue their cases before a state energy panel in Vancouver, Washington, on Monday. (Matthew Brown / Associated Press, File)

High-stakes battle over oil terminal unfolds in Northwest

  • By Wire Service
  • Tuesday, June 28, 2016 1:17pm
  • Local News

By PHUONG LE

Associated Press

SEATTLE — Two companies proposing to build what would be the nation’s largest oil-by-rail marine terminal along the Columbia River see it as an opportunity to link domestic crude oil from the Midwest to a West Coast port.

Critics, however, see an environmental and safety catastrophe waiting to happen, especially after a train carrying volatile Bakken crude oil derailed and burned on June 3 in Mosier, Oregon, just 70 miles upriver from the project site in Vancouver, Washington.

The battle over the Tesoro Savage Vancouver Energy terminal — which would handle about 360,000 barrels of crude oil a day — unfolds Monday when the parties make their case for or against the terminal before a state energy panel.

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council will hear testimony from dozens of experts and other witnesses over five weeks. It will make a recommendation to Gov. Jay Inslee, who has the final say.

Vancouver Energy is expected to argue that the terminal is needed to meet fuel needs; that it satisfies the council’s criteria; that risks of oil spills or accidents at the facility are remote; and it adds economic benefits to the region.

The Port of Vancouver also plans to testify in support, saying the facility is designed to be as safe as possible, there’s need for it and it’s suitable for the industrial site.

They’ll face a chorus of opposition. Tribes, environmental and community groups, the city of Vancouver and a Washington state agency will urge the panel not to recommend approval. They plan to show that it poses too great a risk to people and the environment, the dangers extend well beyond the facility to include communities along rail lines across the state, and it’s not in the public’s interest.

Tesoro Corp. and Savage Cos. are proposing a $210 million terminal that would receive an average of four 1½-mile long crude oil trains a day, likely traveling on tracks between Spokane and Vancouver. Oil would temporarily be stored on site and then loaded onto tankers and ships bound for West Coast refineries.

“This is too risky for the state of Washington,” said Kristen Boyles, an attorney with Earthjustice representing Columbia Riverkeeper, Climate Solutions and six other groups who intervened in the proceedings to oppose the project.

In briefs filed ahead of Monday’s hearing, the cities of Vancouver and Spokane, among others, say they’re concerned about the risk of oil spills and accidents as more trains cut through their communities. They question whether emergency responders would be able to handle a large fire from a derailment.

“Tesoro’s proposal constitutes a clear and present threat to human life and health,” Vancouver city attorneys wrote. The council “simply has no ability to ensure the safety of Vancouver’s citizens while the equivalent of 1,667 tanker trucks of volatile crude oil per day move into and out of the heart of the fourth largest city in Washington.”

In a separate brief, the state-appointed attorney who represents the public’s interest in protecting the environment writes that oil trains moving across the state and close to or on the Columbia River “presents a continuing risk of significant environmental impacts and harm.”

The consequences of the worse-case oil spill would affect the Columbia River for years to come and cause losses to salmon, birds and other natural resources, assistant attorney general Matthew Kernutt wrote.

The Yakima Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation also plan to show that the project interferes with their treaty-reserved fishing rights and that a potential oil spill could have devastating consequences to salmon and other natural resources on which the tribe depends.

The Washington Department of Natural Resources is also urging the council to reject the project, citing risks of blazes from increased train traffic and other concerns.

Vancouver Energy says the project can be done safely and will provide jobs and tax revenue as well as reduce dependency on foreign oil. Vancouver Energy General Manager Jared Larrabee said the terminal has committed to only accept tank cars that meet or exceed DOT-117 standards, has purchased and placed oil spill response equipment along the rail corridor and taken other safety measures.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.