The Hoquiam City Council expressed reservations about crude oil shipping facilities proposed for Grays Harbor, adopting a resolution regarding petroleum shipping at a Tuesday meeting.
The resolution, originally drafted by Councilman Greg Grun, won’t create any new city laws, but instead urges the state and federal governments to strengthen regulations and consider the impacts of petroleum shipping on public safety.
The council opted to use the word “petroleum” instead of “crude oil” in an effort to cover more bases.
“The City of Hoquiam strongly urges the U.S. Department of Transportation to strengthen Federal tank car design and operation regulations for petroleum product shipments by rail and aggressively phase out older-model tank cars used to move flammable liquids that are not retrofitted to meet new Federal requirements,” the resolution reads.
The measure also provided suggestions for areas of study for an Environmental Impact Statement being performed by the city, the state Department of Ecology and a hired contractor. The study suggestions include impacts associated with oil spills, vehicle safety at railroad crossings, increased rail congestion, safety considerations for oil transport, effects on pubic transit, increased risk of oil fires and explosions and an evaluation of emergency response.
The council adopted the resolution with little discussion.
Crude-by-rail opponent and frequent Hoquiam City Council meeting attendee Arnie Martin said he’s glad that the council decided to pass the resolution, but he had hoped for a more aggressive measure.
“I’m glad they finally did something, but I have to say I wish they had done more,” Martin said.
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