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The issue:
Once again, a proposal for a crude oil project on the west side of the state has our communities in the crosshairs. So once again, we must speak up and demonstrate the risks we would be assuming if crude oil is shipped through Spokane Valley, Spokane and Cheney. This time, however, the agencies chose NOT to have an official hearing or meeting in Spokane. So we're doing one ourselves!
Northwest Region Averaging Nine Freight Train Derailments Per Month
Mapping freight train mishaps over the last two-and-a-half years.
The recent oil train derailment and explosion in Lynchburg, VA is a stark reminder that a similar, maybe even more devastating, accident could occur here in the Inland Northwest.
As of now, an average of one to two trains per day carry crude oil through the Inland Northwest. Oil companies are hoping to increase that amount rapidly to as many as 15 trains per day, according to Department of Ecology. These oil trains would pass right through Spokane Valley, Spokane and Cheney.
Right now in Grays Harbor, there are proposals to receive crude oil that would travel through Washington by train. If approved, up to 23 trains per week, each up to 1.3 miles long, would cut through our communities.
In response to a successful legal challenge brought last year by the Quinault Indian Nation and five conservation groups, these two proposals—Westway and Imperium—are currently receiving public comment on what should be reviewed as potential impacts. But unlike previous regulatory processes' involving oil (and coal) projects in Washington state, no public meeting or hearing was scheduled for the Spokane area. So we're doing one ourselves!
Please join us as we make your voice heard! Attend the Spokane People’s Hearing:
WHAT: People’s Hearing on Grays Harbor proposals
WHEN: Wednesday, May 21 from 5:30-6:30 pm
WHERE: Riverfront Park at the Rotary Fountain
(W Spokane Falls Blvd and N Howard St)
WHO:
Ben Stuckart, Spokane City Council President
Reverend Dr. Todd Eklof of the Unitarian Universalist Church
Susan Drumheller, Idaho Conservation League
And more!RSVP to bart at cforjustice dot org
or on the Facebook event page
Unable to attend the People’s Hearing?
Please submit your concerns to Department of Ecology and the City of Hoquiam today. http://bit.ly/GraysHarborComments.
Comment deadline is May 27.
Additional rail traffic in Spokane raises numerous concerns
especially because the rail cars would carry dangerous crude oil and have been proven to be unsafe. In just the past ten months we’ve seen the horrors that come from transporting crude oil by rail in which derailments have led to explosions, fires, pollution, and in the sad case in Quebec, 47 deaths.
We as a community will continue to press for answers, to show concern, and demonstrate our unwavering determination to stop Spokane, Spokane Valley or Cheney from being entry on a list of rail disasters. Just as the oil companies and BNSF have been steadfast in their push to turn our nation’s rail lines in to conveyances for dirty energy, corruption, greed and disasters, we will be steadfast in our push to create a safe, prosperous and clean Spokane.
Thanks for all you do,
Bart Mihailovich
YOUR Spokane Riverkeeper
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