Those with an opinion on oil trains in Washington state will have another chance to share it in Vancouver on Friday when the Department of Ecology holds hearings on two proposed safety rules for oil-by-rail in the state.
The hearings kick off at 8 a.m. at the DoubleTree’s Columbia Room, at 12712 S.E. Second Circle.
The morning’s hearings will run until noon and focus on the agency’s contingency planning rule, which would require railroads that move crude or refined oil to submit oil spill response plans that the state must approve.
“Increased crude by rail transport has changed the risk picture for oil spills in Washington state,” according to an Ecology release. “Contingency plans for railroads will ensure that first responders are aware of the locations of oil transport, oil response equipment and are trained to respond in a rapid, aggressive and well-coordinated manner.”
Starting at 1 p.m., Ecology will take comment on proposed notice requirements for facilities that handle oil-by-rail, such as the proposed 360,000-barrel-per-day terminal at the Port of Vancouver. The new rule would create reporting standards for such facilities and pipelines that Ecology can share with emergency responders, local governments, tribes and the public.
“Timely notice of oil movement information is needed for emergency responders and planners to effectively prepare for and respond to oil spills and other incidents associated with the transport of crude oil by rail and pipeline,” according to a release. “Providing adequate information will help to protect the lives of people living and working near railroads and pipelines, the economy and environmental resources of Washington.”
The rules proposed earlier this year follow a 2015 legislative mandate for Ecology to require contingency plans in response to the massive increase in volumes of oil being shipped by rail from North Dakota and Canada to Washington’s five refineries. The oil terminal proposed at the Port of Vancouver would handle an average of four 120-car trains per day.
Those who wish to comment have until June 10 to do so at www.oilspills101.wa.gov, by email to Kim.Morley@ecy.wa.gov, by fax at 360-407-7288, or by mail to Department of Ecology Spills Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504. Read more information on the proposed rules.
