Port of Longview rejects proposed Columbia River Oil refinery

The Port of Longview commissioners voted unanimously to end negotiations with Waterside Energy, the backers of a controversial oil refinery and propane export terminal. Waterside proposed the first west coast oil refinery in 25 years and the first ever on the Columbia River.

Waterside proposed serving the refinery and the propane terminal with trains.

The Port’s decision marks the latest in a string of defeats for fossil fuel projects on the Columbia River. In addition to Waterside, the Port of Longview previously rejected a propane export terminal by Haven Energy and the City of Portland rejected a propane terminal proposed by Pembina.

“This community presented a compelling argument against the Waterside oil refinery and propane terminal,” stated Kelso resident Linda Horst. “By voting ‘no’, our port commissioners demonstrated a sincere desire to work not only for the community, but with the community. I thank them for the resounding ‘no’ vote.”

Oil refinery opponents flagged the checkered history of Waterside Energy. In 2014, Waterside Energy’s backers abandoned their biodiesel facility in Odessa, Washington. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted an emergency cleanup at the site.

This vote ends two years of negotiations to build the first oil refinery on the Columbia.

Edited from press release by Angharad Lock

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/refining/25022016/columbia-river-oil-refinery-rejected-540/