Army Corps latest to evaluate Vancouver Energy proposal

Already concerned about what has been a lengthy process to this point, officials at Vancouver Energy received word that may add even more time to the process of permitting an oil export terminal at the Port of Vancouver.

On Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that the proposed project will be subject to an additional evaluation process, rejecting a request from Tesoro Savage Petroleum Terminal LLC for a standardized permit that wouldn’t have prompted an evaluation.

The Corps will now seek public review and comment on the proposal, in addition to considering the project’s potential impact on water, air and critical habitat. The transportation of oil via railcar will not factor in to the Corp’s permitting process, the agency said.

Proposed activities requiring authorization from the Army Corps include replacing decking, mooring hardware and fender systems, filling hollow steel pilings, removing portions of overwater structures, and installing oil transfer and return lines, a jib crane, manifolds and related facilities on an existing pier.

The Corps’ authorization isn’t the only government entity holding the project in limbo. An environmental impact statement (EIS) from the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) is due this summer. Ultimately, the project must be approved by Governor Inslee to move forward.

For information on the economic impact of the proposed terminal, read “New study examines economic impact of Vancouver Energy project.”

Image courtesy Port of Vancouver USA

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