The Port of Vancouver’s Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday reaffirming its support of the Crude-By-Rail Safety Act of 2015.
The resolution urges the passage of federal regulation and legislation aimed at improving the safety of the transportation of crude oil.
“It’s always been our top priority to ensure that commodities at the Port of Vancouver move safely in our community,” said commission president Nancy Baker in a press release. “Crude oil is no exception. Supporting federal-level legislation and regulation is one way we can help make sure oil is moved safely not only through Vancouver but through communities across the nation.”
Tuesday’s resolution comes as two port tenants – Tesoro Refining and Marketing Co. LLC/Savage Services and NuStar Energy LP – are proposing new oil facilities on port property. Both proposed facilities involve the transportation of crude oil.
Washington state Senator Maria Cantwell introduced the Crude-By-Rail Safety Act of 2015 with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The legislation requires the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to establish new regulations to mitigate the volatility of gases in crude oil shipped via tank car. It also would immediately halt the use of older-model tank cars that have been shown to be high-risk for puncturing and catching fire in derailments.
