PORTLAND, Ore. -- Less than two weeks after a Union Pacific oil train derailed and caught fire near Mosier, local leaders are banding together to oppose any upcoming oil-by-rail projects.
Leaders, including Portland Mayor Charlie Hales and Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury, held a press conference Tuesday to ask that Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee oppose projects like the proposed Tesoro-Savage terminal in Vancouver.
The group also hopes to work toward a permanent oil train ban.
Gov. Brown responded Tuesday, noting that last week she had called for a moratorium on oil trains through the Columbia River Gorge.
"While Oregon has strengthened safety protocols and response capabilities to protect communities and ecosystems, critical federal rules that would enhance rail safety are either in litigation or are yet to be completed," she added. "I will continue to push the U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal authorities to take action that puts fewer Oregonians at risk of a dangerous crash in their backyards.”
