Oil terminal merits approval

A recent letter by International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 4 President Jared Smith mischaracterized the proposed Vancouver Energy crude-by-rail terminal.

Opponents such as Smith largely base their arguments on concerns about oil trains that are already running through this state and will continue whether or not Vancouver Energy is built.

The letter presented a false choice of windmills versus oil trains – we need both. Cars, trucks, buses and jets don’t run on wind. Petroleum fuels keep us moving and keep our economy strong.

Smith also asserted falsely that Vancouver Energy crude oil would go overseas. Instead, Midwest oil will go to West Coast refineries to create products we need, reduce crude imports by 30 percent, and enhance U.S. energy independence.

Finally, Smith’s letter noted that Attorney General Bob Ferguson publically came out against Vancouver Energy. This is problematic. The Attorney General represents state agencies, including the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) reviewing the project. Ferguson appears to have compromised his ability to fulfill his statutory responsibility if there is litigation stemming from this project.

Regional Locals belonging to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and both the Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council (CPBCTC) and Washington Building and Construction Trades Council (WBCTC) endorse Vancouver Energy. These organizations represent more than 100,000 construction trade union members across the state that can and will help ensure that this project is built and operated safely while benefitting from the family-wage jobs Vancouver Energy will create.

This story was originally published October 13, 2016 at 1:16 PM with the headline "Oil terminal merits approval."