The true costs of fossil fuels must be recognized
The Governor’s 2014 budget provided one-time funding for Ecology to conduct a Marine and Rail Oil Transportation Study. The objective of the study is to analyze the risks to public health and safety, and the environmental impacts associated with the transport of oil in Washington state.
The study will inform the Spills Program, Governor and Legislature by focusing on the movement of oil in marine and inland areas, by vessel, and rail. The study will compile existing information and determine if there are information gaps in the existing oil transportation system. If gaps exist, the study will identify ways to address the risk and make public health/safety and environmental protection recommendations for appropriate federal, state, local agencies, or the private sector/industry to take appropriate remedial action.
In our letter to Ecology, OCA states our belief that expansion of the fossil-fuel industry only delays the necessary rapid transition to a clean-energy economy, and that at the very least, the true costs of fossil fuels must be reflected in their markets. One such cost is the risk associated with their transport, and the State should take every measure to protect our citizens and ecosystems and see to it that the industry pays for all such measures.
2014 Marine and Rail Oil Transportation Study Preliminary Findings and Recommendations Report
Timeline
- A completed interim report is due to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2014.
- A final report is due by March 1, 2015.
Olympic Climate Action 