(The Center Square) – Weeks after California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis spoke out against federal efforts to expand offshore oil drilling, state lawmakers told The Center Square that increased drilling is deeply unpopular among coastal residents.
To the editor: A year after Mosier’s disastrous oil train derailment resulted in an explosion, toxic fire and 42,000 gallon oil spill, there are now several bills in the Oregon and U.S. Legislature that all Oregonians should be aware of. Compared to California and Washington, Oregon’s weak laws for oil trains and terminals make it much easier and cheaper to transport potentially dangerous oil through our state.
SALEM (AP) — Native Americans, environmentalists and a fishing guide spoke out Monday in support of two bills that aim to prevent, or at least mitigate, an ecological disaster like an oil spill into the Columbia River.
Here is the full text of the letter from the City of Hood River to State Dist. 52 Rep. Mark Johnson (R-Hood River). Copies were also sent to State Sen. Chuck Thomsen (R-Hood River) and members of the House Energy and Environment Committee:
Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney has pitched a bill that would tighten regulations on railroads that transport crude oil and other hazardous materials.
By PETER CORNELISON, KATE MCBRIDE, and LAURENT PICARD
On July 6, 2013, a train carrying highly flammable oil from the Bakken region derailed and burned in the town of Lac-Megantic, Quebec, resulting in explosions so violent that several city blocks were flattened and 47 victims were incinerated, 5 of whom were never found.
