By Dan Serres, Conservation Director
Our fight against the Tesoro Savage oil terminal proposal in Vancouver got a big boost in 2017 when a local Vancouver engineer took interest in a new aspect of the oil terminal - the dangerous and foul-smelling pollution that would emanate from Tesoro Savage’s facilities. Bob Low is the principal in Western AgTech Solutions, usually specializing in high-tech irrigation equipment. While most people in Vancouver oppose the Tesoro Savage oil terminal because of its potential for dangerous oil train derailments, Bob has been speaking to local leaders and writing technical comments that expose the routine, daily harm that would be caused by vapors from the oil train terminal.
“I am truly worried that the terminal will have the greatest impact on the community that is only 2/3 of a mile, a mere kilometer away from the proposed oil tank farm. This is a community that can least afford more setbacks,” said Bob Low, speaking of nearby homes in the Fruit Valley neighborhood where people could be harmed by Tesoro Savage’s pollution.
To assess Tesoro Savage’s potential impact, Bob researched the experience of other communities near oil-by-rail facilities. Learning from their experience and applying his engineering skills, Bob was able to estimate the actual impact of Tesoro-Savage’s proposal, which would be the largest oil train terminal in North America. His analysis affirmed conclusions of other experts commissioned by the Stand Up to Oil campaign, who also found that Tesoro Savage would be a major emitter of the cancer-causing, smog-forming volatile organic compounds.
People like Bob Low have been the backbone of Vancouver’s remarkable, 4-year campaign to stop Tesoro Savage’s dangerous oil train terminal proposal. You can join Bob and hundreds of others for the last major oil train hearing on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, when Washington’s Energy Council hears public testimony about air pollution from the proposed Tesoro Savage oil terminal.
- Public Hearing on Air Pollution from Proposed Tesoro Savage Oil Train Terminal
- When: Wednesday, June 7, 2017; Rally at 4:00 pm; Hearing from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
- Where: Clark College, Gaiser Hall, located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way Vancouver, WA
- Wear: RED!
We are grateful to Bob and the thousands of Vancouver activists who for four years have continued the fight against Big Oil and reckless oil trains. To learn more about the upcoming hearing, visit our website.
