Advancing oil spill prevention and preparedness measures

The Stand Up To Oil campaign is working to increase protection from the oil already traveling in our region and put more of the burden of risk on the oil industry.

The 2019 legislative session resulted in major oil transportation safety policy wins in both Washington and Oregon. The spill prevention legislation passed in Washington requires vessels carrying crude oil in the Salish Sea, such as barges and smaller oil tankers, to be escorted by a tug through the San Juan Islands. Oregon passed legislation that improves safety measures by requiring spill response plans for oil transported by rail. These wins would not have been possible without strong environmental majorities, strong public support for action, and the years of organizing by the SUTO coalition elevating the threats of sinking oil and oil by rail in the Northwest.

This year, SUTO and our partners are also engaging in the implementation of oil transportation safety legislation passed in Washington in 2019, by participating in the rulemaking to improve spill response requirements by specifically addressing the unique risks of heavy tar sands oils.

This year, SUTO and our partners are also engaging in the implementation of oil transportation safety legislation passed in Washington in 2018, by participating in the rulemaking to improve spill response requirements by specifically addressing the unique risks of heavy tar sands oils.