This spring Columbia Riverkeeper has been busy fighting dirty fossil fuel export proposals on the Columbia. In Portland, the City Council will vote whether to approve or deny the Pembina propane export terminal. Across the river, we have very good news that the City of Vancouver will require NuStar to assess threats of the proposed crude-by-rail terminal. And shocking news uncovered by Riverkeeper: a new oil refinery is proposed in Longview. Details below about these campaigns with information on what you can do to help.
- Propane Export in Portland Advances to City HallEarlier this month, the City of Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission approved a code amendment that paves the way for a proposed propane export terminal on the Columbia River. But we still have shot at stopping this short-sighted project. The Commission’s recommendation will go to the Portland City Council for a public hearing on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at 2PM and could vote as early as June 17, 2015. The Commission heard overwhelming testimony opposing the project, proposed by Canada-based Pembina. Neighborhood association leaders, health professionals, faith leaders, environmentalists, and nearby residents explained why the City should not make a special make special accommodation for Pembina by amending the City’s Conservation Habitat Zone to make way for a dangerous propane mega-terminal on the Columbia River. Portland’s local longshore union also opposes to the project. Read more about the propane export terminal and join our call-in campaign to City Hall.
- City of Vancouver to Study Impacts of NuStar Oil Terminal
The City of Vancouver announced it will prepare a thoroughEnvironmental Impact Statement on threats from NuStar's proposed crude-by-rail terminal. Riverkeeper appreciates the City's decision to take a hard look at crude-by-rail, and this study should give the City the facts it needs to reject this dangerous project. Until May 4, you can send letters supporting the City's EIS and encourage the City consider a wide range of impacts from crude-by-rail, including oil train explosions, oil spills in the Columbia, and climate impacts. Submit comments to: jon.wagner@cityofvancouver.us. For more information read our most recent press release.
- Columbia River Threatened by New Oil Refinery and Explosive Oil Trains
The rapid growth of oil trains in the Pacific Northwest now brings a new threat: a proposal for anunprecedented new oil refinery on the Columbia River. Recently obtained documents show Riverside Refining, LLC, seeking a partnership with the Port of Longview to build an oil refinery in Longview, Washington, supplied by controversial oil-by-rail. The proposal to supply the refinery with oil-by-rail makes the project even more controversial. Crude oil trains in North America have exploded a dozen times in the last two years, including an explosion that killed 47 people in Quebec. For more information read our press release as well the documents provided by the Port.
