Tesoro’s Closing Argument: “Oil Spills Create Jobs”

Oil Spills Threaten the Columbia: Join Us For Final Day of Tesoro Hearing on July 29!

By Dan Serres, Conservation Director

Possibly sensing that public opinion is turning even firmly more against oil-by-rail in the wake of the June 3, 2016, oil train derailment in Mosier, Tesoro has developed increasingly desperate arguments to persuade Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to approve its massive oil-by-rail proposal in Vancouver, Washington.  In July’s month-long, trial-like adjudication hearing over its proposed oil terminal, Tesoro possibly hit a new low by putting forward “experts” who claimed that oil spills create jobs  (“new economic opportunities”) and help fish (“fishing closures are a good thing”).  Tesoro’s experts received sharp questioning from attorneys and the members of EFSEC, exposing Tesoro’s lack of consideration for tribal, commercial, and recreational fishing resources that would be harmed in an oil spill.

National media picked up on the unmistakable absurdity of a Texas oil company, Tesoro, attempting to sell Pacific Northwest decision-makers on the “benefits” of an oil spill.  You can read Think Progress’ excellent article, “Oil Spills Are Actually Good For Birds, Fish, And The Economy According To The Oil Industry,” which details the boldly flawed logic of Tesoro’s case to EFSEC.

The Vancouver Columbian didn’t mince words in its sharply critical editorial address Tesoro’s claims. In the editorial, entitled “'Expert' claims oil terminal at Port could hurt so good,” the Columbian’s Greg Jayne writes of Tesoro’s argument that  “It was callous, it was desperate, it was — in the long run — emblematic of the reasons for opposing an oil terminal at the Port of Vancouver.”

On July 29, EFSEC will hold its final hearing on the Tesoro Savage oil terminal proposal in Vancouver. Please plan to join us at 12:00pm for a rally. EFSEC will accept public testimony from 1-5pm in response to issues raised during the adjudication hearing.

Washington Energy Council Meets in Vancouver – Rally to End Tesoro Proposal!

• Friday, July 29, 2016: closing arguments 9am-12:00pm, arrive for the noon rally, with public testimony currently scheduled for 1pm.
• Clark College Conference Center (Please note: Not on Clark College main campus) located at 18700 SE Mill Plain Blvd. Vancouver WA 98683

EFSEC’s month-long, trial-like hearing will end in Vancouver, not soon enough for Tesoro, and not without the public having a chance to add its own perspective.

We are deeply grateful to the outstanding attorneys at Earthjustice, Kristen Boyles, Janette Brimmer, and the rest of the Earthjustice team, for their tireless work on the Tesoro case.  They have coordinate a compelling, month-long argument to protect our communities from North America’s largest oil-by-rail proposal.