"Governor Kate Brown called for a ban on the transport of oil by rail until safety can be greatly improved. The OpEd in the Oregonian featured the Governor’s strongest words yet, and we thank her for taking a stand. Until we convince the federal government to ban oil trains, the dangerous trains will keep rolling. Because of the shocking derailment and explosion in Mosier, Governor Brown holds the most powerful position of anyone in the country to pressure the federal government to take action. Her OpEd is a great first step in this leadership. It won’t be easy. The railroads and oil companies are powerful adversaries who profit immensely from transporting hazardous oil. Can Governor Brown, partnered with Senators Wyden and Merkley and our other members of Congress, prevail? The answer will be obvious: over the next month or two, if we see matte-black oil trains the railroad and oil lobbyists prevailed. I’m pulling for Governor Brown and our federal electeds. I watched with the oil train explode in Mosier. Let’s do everything we can to stop dangerous oil trains. Now." - Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper.
Sign our petition today!
We are calling on Governors Brown and Inslee to use the full power of the state to reject any permit or lease for state land or water that would allow more oil to come through our region; and calling on President Obama to use his authority to place an immediate ban on transporting oil through our communities and reject any federal permits that would allow more oil to come through our region.
