Category: Press Releases

State denies key permit based on non-water quality issues OLYMPIA — Washington business, trade and labor leaders denounced today’s Millennium Bulk Terminals water quality permit denial by the Department of Ecology, saying the decision, based more on the rail and traffic concerns than on impact to water quality, made a mockery of the state’s regulatory review […]

Project praised for apprenticeship opportunities, family-wage jobs VANCOUVER — Support for the Vancouver Energy terminal at the Port of Vancouver remains stronger than ever among members and leadership of the building trades unions, who voiced their backing during the port’s third lease hearing Tuesday. “This project has the backing of a broad cross-section of my […]

Supporters reinforce importance of jobs, workforce training at final public hearing VANCOUVER — Supporters of the proposed Vancouver Energy oil terminal at the Port of Vancouver USA remained as adamant as ever Tuesday about the project and the need for jobs, infrastructure and energy security. Representatives from labor, business and trade groups all weighed in […]

Project hailed as ‘a bridge to Washington’s energy future’ TACOMA — Citing the need for more family-wage jobs in Southwest Washington, members of the state’s largest private union for building and construction trade workers passed a resolution in support of the Vancouver Energy terminal at the Port of Vancouver USA. The resolution was approved Aug. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

BNSF rail safety initiatives, investments highlighted at Thursday event PASCO — Pasco Kiwanians gathered at lunch Thursday to learn more about the safest mode of bulk commodity transport on land: rail. The presentation, hosted by Keep Washington Competitive, focused on efforts by BNSF Railway to keep the state’s network of rail lines open to facilitate […]

Global application of a state regulatory policy unprecedented OLYMPIA — Representatives from business, labor and agriculture said today’s final environmental impact analysis from the state Department of Ecology is a major milestone for the project, but reflects a misapplication of a state law intended to mitigate local impacts. This morning, the Washington state Department of […]