Governor John Kitzhaber Senator Jeff Merkley
160 State Capitol 121 SW Salmon STreet #1400
Salem, Oregon 97301 Portland, Oregon 97204
Senator Ron Wyden
911 NE 11th Avenue suite 630
Portland, Oregon 97232
July 17, 2014
Re: Request for Statewide Moratorium on Oil Train Transport
We are expressing the deep concern of King Neighborhood Association about the threat to life, safety and the environment due to accidents, potential spills and explosions posed by oil trains. We urge the Oregon Governor to recommend against the siting of oil terminals in our state; and urge Congress, the State Legislature, and regulators to adopt laws and regulations to increase the safety of the transportation of crude oil.
Shipments of oil and coal, carried by rail, already pass through North and Northeast Portland, with little notification to residents as to their arrival. This proximity to our area creates a potential threat to the safety and health of our residents, so much so that we exhort the Oregon Governor, John Kitzhaber, and our U.S. Senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, to intervene, and to stop any increases in oil trains. As residents and neighbors, we want to protect our community from the danger oil trains pose to our city.
With that in mind, King Neighborhood Association calls on municipalities, agencies and officials to deny all permits for new/expanded facilities that will result in an increase in the transportation of crude oil through Portland. King Neighborhood Association also calls for a statewide moratorium on oil train transport, to be issued until such time as there is a consensus among the industry and regulators as to the safest method of safely transporting Bakken crude oil and a proven track record that demonstrates the safety of the methodology.
Sincerely,
Margo Dobbertin
Chair, King Neighborhood Association
cc:
Carmen Merlo, Portland Office of Emergency Management
Mayor Charlie Hales
Metro Councilor Sam Chase
Army Corps of Engineers