FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, October 3, 2022
Media contacts:
Heidi Cody, Alliance for Community Engagement, Vancouver resident, 718-986-2348
Cathryn Chudy Vancouver resident, 971-221-4180
Rebecca Ponzio, Washington Environmental Council, 206-240-0493
Dan Serres, Columbia Riverkeeper, 503-890-2441
Vancouver, WA — Community groups are celebrating a decision by the Vancouver City Council to ban new large-scale fossil fuel facilities. The new ordinance takes the place of a years-long moratorium on major facilities that could bring long trains of flammable or toxic fuel into Vancouver. The new policy will permanently prohibit large-scale coal, fracked gas, and other fossil fuel projects in all zones across the City while allowing for safety upgrades at existing facilities. The ordinance would also allow new and expanded cleaner fuel facilities as conditional uses, which allows for public input.
During the City Council’s public hearing, the overwhelming majority of speakers supported the proposed ban on new bulk fossil fuel facilities. The City Council’s vote to approve the ordinance was unanimous.
“We appreciate our Vancouver City Council and staff for developing and passing this important health and safety protection for Vancouver,” said Cathryn Chudy, a Vancouver resident who organized for years in favor of the ban. “This reflects our Council’s commitment to addressing the safety risks and environmental health disparities that are disproportionately felt in the neighborhoods where these facilities are located.”
“Vancouver’s citizens have been advocating against new bulk fossil fuel facilities here for years,” said Heidi Cody, Co-Director of Alliance for Community Engagement, a coalition of groups supporting the ordinance. “We applaud our City Council for allowing ongoing public input on this issue, and for passing a permanent ordinance that blocks new and expanded bulk fossil fuel infrastructure. This is the day we’ve been working toward.”
“As a mother of two children growing up in Vancouver, I appreciate that this ordinance helps Vancouver meet its climate goals and also its environmental justice goals,” said Monica Zazueta, a Vancouver resident, mother, and climate activist. “Without this, our air quality would diminish and our climate-changing pollution would increase, and my kids would breathe dirtier air.”
“The ordinance is a bulwark to protect Vancouver from long trains carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other dangerous fuels,” said Dan Serres, Conservation Director with Columbia Riverkeeper. “The Columbia River is the lifeblood of our region, and more fossil fuel terminals would greatly exacerbate the safety and spill risks we already face from existing terminals.”
“The passage of this ordinance puts Vancouver squarely in the leadership role of protecting the health and safety of not only its own community but those who live along the rail and waterway it is so connected to,” said Rebecca Ponzio, Climate and Fossil Fuel Program Director for the Washington Environmental Council. “Thank you to the community of Vancouver for your tenacity and focus on officially closing the door against dangerous fossil fuel projects.”
The ordinance is set to take effect in November.
Resources:
Ordinance language, Staff Report and other materials for City Council hearing and vote on the fossil fuel ordinance can be found at this link: https://vancouvercity.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=2811&MeetingID=334
Alliance for Community Engagement comments on the proposed ordinance and the State Environmental Policy Act review for the ordinance. September 2022. https://vancouvercity.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/AttachmentViewer.ashx?AttachmentID=7379&ItemID=2797
“Local View: Vancouver, OK prohibition on large fossil-fuel facilities.” October 3, 2022.
Vancouver Columbian OpEd by Heidi Cody, Alliance for Community Engagement; Cathryn Chudy, Sierra Club Loo Wit; Monica Zazueta, League of United Latin American Citizens, Sunrise SWWA; Dan Serres, Conservation Director, Columbia Riverkeeper; Rebecca Ponzio, Climate and Fossil Fuel Program Director, Washington Environmental Council/Washington Conservation Voters.