Public Hearings Coming To Everett, WA On Oil-By-Train Safety Rules

The wheels of a train car carrying Liquefied Petroleum Gas are off the tracks in this derailment from July, 2014 on the Everett, WA waterfront.

The public comment period on two proposed rules opened today.

Here’s a press release to MyEverettNews.com from Department Of Ecology outlining how to make comments and when the public hearings will be held…

Two new rules aimed at enhancing the safety of transporting oil through the state are open for comment through the Washington Department of Ecology.

The first proposed rule establishes notice requirements for facilities receiving crude oil by rail and pipelines transporting crude oil. Ecology will share the information with affected communities to ensure a rapid response can happen if an oil spill occurs. Comments will be accepted April 6 through June 10, in a variety of ways:

• Email to Kim.Morley@ecy.wa.gov
• Mail to Kim Morley, Department of Ecology Spills Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600
• Fax to (360) 407-7288
• Use the Online comment tool
• Participate in public hearings and webinars

The second rule describes contingency planning requirements for railroads that transport oil (crude or refined) in bulk. Contingency plans show that railroads are prepared to immediately respond to an oil spill if one occurs. Comments for this rule will also be accepted April 6 through June 10:

• Email to Linda.Pilkey-Jarvis@ecy.wa.gov
• Mail to Linda Pilkey-Jarvis, Department of Ecology Spills Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600
• Fax to (360) 407-7288
• Use the Online comment tool
• Participate in public hearings and webinars

Ecology will host public hearings on the rule proposals in Spokane, Everett, and Vancouver. In addition, two webinars — online meeting forums that can be attended from any computer — are planned.

Public Hearing Schedule

May 17 – Spokane

• Contingency Planning for Rail, 1 to 5 p.m.
• Notice Requirements, 7 p.m.
• Ramada at Spokane International Airport (Lower Level Ballroom)
  8909 West Airport Drive, Spokane, WA 99224

May 23 – Everett, WA

• Notice Requirements, 1 to 5 p.m.
• Contingency Planning for Rail, 7 p.m.
• Holiday Inn Downtown Everett (Ballroom 1)
  3105 Pine Street, Everett, WA 98201

May 26 – Webinar

• Notice Requirements for receiving crude, 1 p.m.
• Instructions for joining the webinar (pdf)

June 1 – Webinar

• Contingency Planning for Rail, 1 p.m.
• Instructions for joining the webinar (pdf)

June 3 – Vancouver

• Contingency Planning for Rail, 8 a.m. to noon.
• Notice Requirements, 1 p.m.
• DoubleTree by Hilton – Vancouver (The Columbia Room)
  12712 SE 2nd Circle, Vancouver, WA 98684

Comments for both rulemakings must be submitted by June 10.

Visit the Spills rule webpage for more information about the rulemakings, documents available for review, and public hearings.