Washington panel issues FEIS for proposed crude-by-rail terminal

The Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council last week issued the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the proposed Vancouver Energy crude-oil terminal project.

The council is scheduled to vote tomorrow on its recommendation regarding the project. Council members will send their recommendation to Gov. Jay Inslee, who will have 60 days to make a final decision.

The project calls for Tesoro Savage Petroleum Terminal LLC, also known as Vancouver Energy, to construct and operate an energy distribution terminal at the Port of Vancouver, Washington, located on the Columbia River.

At full operation, the project would be capable of receiving up to 360,000 barrels of crude oil per day that would be transported by rail to West Coast refineries, according to a press release issued by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

Crude oil would be delivered to the facility by rail in unit trains composed of up to 120 tank cars. An average of four unit trains per day would arrive at the terminal, according to the FEIS.

Vancouver Energy estimates the terminal's total capital cost would be $210 million.

The FEIS considers impacts from construction, onsite operations, and offsite rail and vessel transportation. It also evaluates impacts related to earth resources, air quality, wildlife and vegetation, noise pollution, land and shoreline use, and environmental health, among other impacts.