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Vancouver Stands Up to Oil

By Dan Serres, Conservation Director

Opposition to the proposed oil terminal in Vancouver is barreling ahead this summer, and we want you to be a part of it.  You are invited to an informal but important discussion and update at Trap Door Brewing in Vancouver on Wednesday, June 15 at 6:30 PM. Several local business, labor, and environmental leaders will present the case for why Vancouver’s economy and the Columbia River are better off without North America’s largest crude oil terminal.

Vancouver Stands Up to Oil: The Truth About Jobs and Dangerous Oil Trains

  • Get the latest on the effort to protect Vancouver’s economy and environment from dirty oil with ILWU Local 4, Vancouver 101, and Stand Up to Oil campaign leaders.
  • Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at 6:30pm
  • Trap Door Brewing.  2315 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660.

This summer, there are two important processes going on that could shape Vancouver’s future regarding oil-by-rail terminals:
First, Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council will meet in Vancouver at the end of June to begin its process of adjudicating the Tesoro Savage oil terminal. We need your help to pack the first hearing and, with our presence, support the overwhelming case our coalition will make against the oil terminal. We also plan to attend the Council’s hearing on July 7 in Olympia to mark the 3-year anniversary of the Lac Megantic oil train disaster. Although Governor Inslee will make the final decision, a denial from the Council would be a huge step towards ending the Tesoro Savage proposal.

Secondly, the City of Vancouver is considering changes to its local zoning ordinance that would prohibit crude oil storage, handling, and refining.  The proposed ban on crude oil terminals would send a powerful message to Governor Inslee that Vancouver opposes crude-by-rail. And the ban would take the very practical step of preventing new oil terminal proposals. Let’s plan to attend and testify at the hearing in July to support the City in protecting our waterfront, river, and local businesses.

Mark your calendar for these important dates in June and July:

  • Washington Energy Council Meets in Vancouver - Rally to Welcome EFSEC!
  • For the first day of EFSEC’s hearings, let's give EFSEC a warm welcome and rally outside the meeting. The hearing room can hold roughly 100 members of the public - let's make sure it's packed!
  • Monday, June 27, 2016, at 9:00am
  • Clark College Conference Center (Note: Not on Clark College main campus) 18700 SE Mill Plain Blvd. Vancouver WA 98683 
  • City of Vancouver Public Meetings on Prohibiting Oil Terminals
  • City Council will take public testimony about the proposed changes to Vancouver’s industrial code that would prohibit crude oil storage, handling, and refining. Let’s support the City in listening to the community’s concerns and taking firm, decisive action to protect the City’s waterfront, businesses, and residents.
  • Monday, June 13, 2016, at TBD & Monday, July 18, 2016 at TBD
  • Vancouver City Hall.  415 West 6th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660 
  • Washington Energy Council Meets in Olympia & Remembering the Lac Megantic Disaster
  • EFSEC will continue its hearing about Tesoro Savage in Olympia. We will rally and attend the hearing to mark the three year anniversary of the Lac Megantic disaster, a tragic oil train derailment that caused 47 fatalities in a small Canadian town. Details to come.
  • Thursday, July 7, 2016, at 9:00am
  • Olympia, WA – Location TBD