Washington plays a unique role in the Northwest economy. The state’s deep-water and inland waterway ports and geographic location make Washington a natural gateway for U.S. consumer goods, agricultural products, and raw materials headed overseas as well as a wide array of imported parts, equipment, and resources critical to the American manufacturing sector. But these […]
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Spokane City Council Sends Controversial Rail Measure to Ballot
Proposed ban on fossil fuels traveling through city is illegal, unconstitutional SPOKANE — Contrary to federal law and ignoring the advice of two different legal and policy advisers, the Spokane City Council moved forward with a controversial ballot measure banning the transport of coal and oil by rail through the city. By a vote of […]
Coal, oil train ban: Ballot consequences ‘are immense’
Spokane radio listeners had the chance Tuesday to learn a little more about a ballot measure that could dramatically alter the future of rail exports in the Inland Northwest. The measure, known as Proposition 1, would ban rail shipments of coal and oil through the city of Spokane. Rail car carriers would be subject to […]
Spokane City Council Sends Rail Measure for Signature Verification
Measure to ban fossil fuels by rail another step closer to Nov. 7 ballot SPOKANE — Despite strong public testimony against the initiative, the Spokane City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to send a ballot measure banning rail transport of coal and oil through the city to the auditor for signature verification. Once verified, the […]
In Focus: Vancouver Energy
Last week, you may have read the profile on Vancouver Energy from Mike Richards at Lens. The project, a joint effort by Tesoro and Savage, would create an oil transfer terminal at the Port of Vancouver USA. Operation of the terminal would represent a major step toward increasing U.S. energy security, potentially replacing 30 percent of foreign crude oil used […]
ICYMI: Ecology Director Maia Bellon on Inside Olympia
Recently, TVW’s Austin Jenkins interviewed Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) Director Maia Bellon on the public affairs show, “Inside Olympia.” Included in the hour-long discussion: a focus on the agency’s final environmental impact statement for Millennium Bulk Terminals and the requirement to mitigate foreign emissions for exported coal. Jenkins raised concerns from industry and labor […]
Time is money: Permitting ‘shot clock’ now reality in Washington
When it comes to economic development, time really is money. That’s why having regulatory certainty – clear timeframes and regulatory milestones – is critical in the attraction and retention of investors and developers. So the good news out of Olympia recently was the signing of a bill to put in place the regulatory equivalent of […]
Proposed Spokane Rail Ban Threatens Local, Regional Economy
Spokane rail ban initiative likely qualifies for the November 2017 ballot SPOKANE — A proposal deemed unenforceable — and unconstitutional — by city legal advisors to ban rail cars carrying fossil fuels through Spokane will likely appear on the November 2017 ballot, putting taxpayers on the hook for a legal fight and threatening local, state […]
Labor Groups Back Vancouver Energy at Air Permit Hearing
Project draws support from trades unions seeking apprenticeship opportunities, jobs VANCOUVER — Hundreds of supporters packed a hearing room Wednesday in favor of Vancouver Energy and the family-wage jobs it would mean for the people of Southwest Washington. The hearing, held at Clark College in Vancouver, drew trades union representatives and members who want […]
Vancouver Maritime Federation Event Focuses on Permitting
Maritime experts from Southwest Washington heard first-hand how Washington’s extensive permitting process is affecting infrastructure investments in our state. At a May 12 gathering of the Maritime Federation in Vancouver, representatives from two of the state’s largest private infrastructure projects, Vancouver Energy and Millennium Bulk Terminals, shared how regulatory delays are affecting their efforts to […]