The founder and owner of Patagonia, a national outdoor clothing and gear company, has lent his name to the fight against the proposed oil terminal at the Port of Vancouver.
Yvon Chouinard wrote in a letter addressed to Port of Vancouver Commissioner Brian Wolfe to “please withdraw your support” for the terminal.
The firm but polite letter urging the abandonment of what would be the nation’s largest rail-to-marine oil terminal was read by Aaron Altshuler, store manager of Patagonia in Portland, to commissioners at the port’s Tuesday morning meeting.
“We have long passed the time when business and industry can evade responsibility for the impact they impose on our natural world,” wrote Chouinard. “I recognize your decision of support stems from your commitment to Vancouver’s economy and future. However, a vision for true economic growth and a strong community must weigh environmental consequences with long-term impact.”
Chouinard, 77, has long been an environmental activist, and his California-based company is recognized for its environmental stewardship.
“As a young entrepreneur in the climbing industry, I was brought face to face with the harm my product was bringing to the places I loved,” he wrote. “I chose innovation and environmental responsibility above profit.”
Chouinard was approached by a member of Columbia Riverkeeper, though it took “very little prompting” to get him to weigh in, according to the Hood River-based environmental group.
By taking a side in the fight, Chouinard brings familiar arguments but a new ally to those who oppose the terminal — a national company. A contingent of small Vancouver businesses have lined up against it — including Source Climbing Center downtown, whose owner also testified Tuesday.
“As someone who teaches climbing safety, I can tell you that this does not meet the definition of safety,” Source owner Michael Lary told port commissioners as he concurred with the Patagonia letter. “This isn’t safe. Please reconsider the (terminal) lease.”
Until now, the most notable large companies involved in the terminal were those proposing it —Tesoro Corp. and Savage Cos. — and BNSF Railway, which supports the terminal.
The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council is finalizing its environmental review of the project and will start trial-like hearings on the proposal this summer. The council will eventually craft a recommendation for Gov. Jay Inslee, who could approve or deny the project outright, send the recommendation back for adjustment or approve the project with conditions.
First proposed in 2013, the Vancouver Energy terminal would handle 360,000 barrels of crude oil via four 120-car trains per day.
