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The proposed Vancouver Energy crude oil transfer facility (highlighted in blue) at the Port of Vancouver’s Terminal 5.

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The Port of Vancouver USA today submitted its formal comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed oil transfer facility at the port.

Known as Vancouver Energy, the proposed facility would bring up to 360,000 barrels of North American crude oil by rail to the port daily. The oil would then be transferred to U.S.-built, U.S.-flagged and U.S.-staffed marine vessels for shipment to refineries in Alaska, California and Washington.

The Washington state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council began reviewing the Vancouver Energy proposal in August 2013 and released the project DEIS for public comment on Nov. 24, 2015.

A team of more than 20 port staff and consultants thoroughly reviewed the DEIS and submitted a 97-page comment letter that focused on:

  • Accuracy of the information presented
  • Analysis of likely or reasonably likely impacts
  • Recommended mitigation measures
  • Identification of significant unavoidable adverse environmental impacts
  • Compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act and other laws

“We provided specific, constructive comments to make sure this is the most comprehensive analysis of potential impacts,” said port CEO Todd Coleman.

“Vancouver Energy is an important project, and the DEIS is a critical step in the review process, the outcome of which will have a profound and lasting impact on operations at the Port of Vancouver and other ports across the country. A thorough and accurate review is critical to the community and the port.”

Next steps
The port and other involved parties are currently preparing for the next step in the EFSEC process: the adjudicatory proceeding. During this process, EFSEC hears from official parties with various views of the project. As the project host and a party with a member on the council, the Port of Vancouver has filed as a participating party in the adjudicatory proceeding.

Concurrently with this process, EFSEC will review and respond to the comments on the DEIS and issue a Final EIS. The council considers the information collected in the adjudicatory proceeding and the EIS process, and writes an administrative order containing its findings of fact, conclusions of law and a recommendation to the governor.

The governor then has 60 days to consider the information and the council’s recommendation, and make a decision on the proposal. The governor can approve the recommendation, reject the application or direct the council to reconsider aspects of the project. This decision can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Visit www.portvanusa.com/marine/crude-oil/ for more information about Vancouver Energy and crude oil at the Port of Vancouver.

– POV –

The Port of Vancouver USA is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast, and its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a skilled labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.