Petition calls on Governor Ferguson and state agencies to fight the Canadian pipeline and supertanker project and secure enforceable, fully funded protections for Washington state
||| FROM LOVEL PRATT for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS |||
A new petition being circulated by Friends of the San Juans is calling on Washington state to oppose Canada’s proposed Pacific Link pipeline (formerly called the West Coast Oil Pipeline) and the supertanker traffic it would bring to the Salish Sea.
The pipeline would carry up to one million barrels of tar sands crude oil per day to a new export terminal at Roberts Bank, British Columbia, just north of the U.S.–Canada border. The terminal would load Very Large Crude Carriers, commonly known as supertankers, for export.
A major oil spill, vessel casualty, or terminal accident would not stop at the border and Washington’s communities, Tribes, fisheries, public health, regional economies, marine ecosystems including critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales could suffer severe and lasting harm.
“Washington must not be left to bear the risks and costs of another Canadian tar sands crude oil export project,” said Eva Schulte Executive Director with Friends of the San Juans. “State leaders must use every available legal and regulatory tool to oppose this proposal. If Canada allows it to proceed, Washington must demand binding, fully funded protections on both sides of the border.”
Nearly five decades ago, the U.S. prohibited supertankers from operating in Washington waters east of Port Angeles. The Pacific Link terminal would place these supertankers in our shared waters, increasing air and water pollution, underwater noise, and other shipping impacts, and increasing the risk of accidents and oil spills in the shared waters of the Salish Sea.
Even more concerning is Canada’s designation of the Pacific Link pipeline as a “project of national interest,” which initiated an accelerated federal review of the proposal. In a joint statement, Governor Bob Ferguson and Washington Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller expressed disappointment with the Canadian government’s decision, warning that the classification would fast-track the project while limiting environmental review and opportunities for public input.
Friends of the San Juans’ petition urges Governor Ferguson, Director Sixkiller, and state agencies to use every available regulatory, diplomatic, technical, and legal avenue to oppose the Pacific Link pipeline. Should the project proceed despite Washington’s opposition, the petition also asks Governor Ferguson and Director Sixkiller to insist on enforceable and fully funded conditions that prevent accidents, reduce shipping impacts and oil spill risks, and provide the resources needed to protect and respond to accidents and oil spills in Washington state.
“Protection conditions that exist only in British Columbia would leave Washington state dangerously exposed,” said Schulte. “A credible prevention and response system including the people, vessels, equipment, funding, and decision-making protocols must be provided on both sides of the border.”
Washington residents are encouraged to sign the petition by October 19 to call on state leaders to act before Canada makes decisions that would threaten Washington waters and communities with additional risks and impacts. Friends of the San Juans has been tracking and commenting on this proposal along with others that increase vessel traffic impacts in the Salish Sea, educating the public, and calling on individuals to engage and share their concerns through public comment opportunities.
Sign the petition
Additional information
Joint statement from Governor Ferguson and Director Sixkiller
Information about Canada’s pipeline proposal
Washington state’s supertanker restriction, RCW 88.16.190
About Friends of the San Juans
Friends of the San Juans’ mission is to bring people and nature together to protect the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea through education, science, policy, and law. Friends engages in permitting processes to ensure that environmental reviews address project-related vessel traffic risks and impacts. Friends focuses on reducing shipping pollution, protecting Southern Residents, and increasing oil spill prevention and spill response preparedness. To learn more about our work, get involved, or sign up for action alerts, visit sanjuans.org.
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