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WATERKEEPER ALLIANCE
A Rubber stamp for the nation's biggest oil-by-rail proposal?

Despite the growing controversy over exploding oil trains and their obvious potential for disaster, the Army Corps of Engineers intends to rubber stamp the largest oil-by-rail terminal proposed in the US using a one-size-fits-all nationwide permit.  This is unacceptable.
 
Let the Army Corps and our federal delegation know that the federal government should take a hard look at the impact of shipping explosive, dirty oil through the scenic Columbia Gorge from the largest oil-by-rail terminal proposed in the United States.
 
The State of Washington has begun its review of the terminal, prompting the cities of Vancouver, Washougal and Spokane to intervene in the process, along with the Longshore Workers Union Local 4, Columbia River tribes, and the company behind a proposed redevelopment of Vancouver's waterfront. With such an  array of entities opposing or raising concerns about this project, surely the Corps should review this project’s impacts more thoroughly.
 
As things now stand, the Corps may authorize the project through a Nationwide Permit, a one-size-fits-all approach typically used for maintenance work.  Instead, because the new oil terminal dramatically differs from a routine maintenance project, the Corps should require an individual Rivers & Harbors Act Section 10 Permit, which would allow the Corps to consider whether the proposed oil terminal is in the public interest.  To issue this type of permit, the Corps would prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to assess the potential safety and environmental consequences of shipping 360,000 barrels of oil daily down the Columbia River.

Let's say no. Let's stand up to big oil!
 

Author Bio

Joelle Robinson
Joëlle Robinson

Field Director, Climate Solutions

Joëlle engages community members and diverse constituencies—faith, health, youth, parents, business—to make their voices heard for climate solutions. She led the team of organizers to ensure we stopped any coal export from the U.S. West Coast over the past decade. On offense, she co-led the Field team to help pass the 100% Clean Electricity (Clean Energy Transition Act in 2019) and in 2022 collaborated with the Field team to ensure that all new buildings (commercial and residential) will be built with heat pumps per the State Building Code Council. She continues to conspire for good with them on many other local and state initiatives.

Joëlle was the Regional Outreach Coordinator of National Wildlife Federation where she focused on mobilizing hunters, anglers and concerned citizens around solutions to global warming. Previous work with Climate Solutions includes the NW Climate Connections partnership, serving as the Field Assistant for the successful Clean Cars campaign, and Field Director of the Renewable Fuel Standard, which passed in April 2006.

She previously served on the boards of Earth Ministry, Solar Washington, and Sierra Club Executive Committee. She’s currently President of the board of her 3 year-old!

Joëlle is Northwest born and raised who loves to hike, dance, travel and explore the natural world.

Her favorite quote is “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” —  Mary Oliver

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