Resolution 1362RESOLUTION NO. 1362
A RESOLUTION URGING THE PROPHIBITION
OF THE TRANSPORTATION OF CRUDE OIL
BY RAIL THROUGH THE CITY OF EDMONDS
WHEREAS, the City Council has a responsibility and a duty to protect the health and
safety of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, as a signatory member of the Safe Energy Leadership Alliance ("SELA"),
Edmonds has committed itself to being a regional and national leader in addressing the adverse
impacts of climate change unequivocally linked to the burning of fossil fuels; and
WHEREAS, Edmonds has committed itself to protecting the environment and natural
resources of our community, the State of Washington, the United State of America, and the
Earth; and
WHEREAS, the burning of fossil fuels in the production of energy is unsustainable and is
in stark contradiction to the goals of Edmonds to mitigate and combat the effects of climate
change; and
WHEREAS, the transport and use of large volumes of crude oil is not compatible with
the City of Edmonds' role as a regional and national leader in addressing climate change; and
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds encourages our citizens and visitors to reduce their
consumption of fossil fuels in their daily lives to lessen the demand for crude oil; and
WHEREAS, trains carrying crude oil frequently traverse the rail lines that run through
the City of Edmonds; and
WHEREAS, the volume of crude oil developed and transported by rail, emanating mainly
from the Bakken shale formation in North Dakota, through and into the state of Washington is
estimated to increase approximately three -hundred percent from the current level of
approximately 19 trains weekly to 57 trains weekly by 2020; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration has determined that crude oil from the Bakken shale formation may be
more flammable, with a lower flash point, than traditional heavy crude oil; and
WHEREAS, rail incidents involving crude oil have increased nearly fifteen -hundred
percent between 2010 and 2014, and current trends show no evidence of the number of incidents
diminishing; and
WHEREAS, recent derailments, spills, and fires, such as the recent derailment and fire in
the Columbia River Gorge area of Mosier, Oregon, as well as the multiple recent derailments,
fires, and oil spills resulting in devastating destruction to both communities and the environment,
including the derailment and subsequent explosion and fire in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, which
caused the deaths of 47 people, the evacuation of thousands of people, and the destruction of
many homes and businesses evidence the necessity to take appropriate measures to safeguard our
residents and environment; and
WHEREAS, the rail lines that transport crude oil from the Bakken shale formation run
through and by Edmonds' residential, natural, and commercial areas, including: parks,
neighborhoods, businesses, a ferry terminal, a senior center, and along Edmonds' waterfront,
marshes, and other natural areas; and
WHEREAS, a potential similar derailment, fire, evacuation, and loss of property and life
would be devastating to the City of Edmonds and its residents; and
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds is deeply concerned about the threat to life, property,
and the environment resulting from derailments leading to oil spills, explosions, and fires from
the transport of crude oil by rail; and
WHEREAS, prior resolutions passed by this Council, including: Resolution 1317 (2014),
and Resolution 1263 (2011), addressing the health and safety risks of the transportation of fossil
fuels via rail have not been adequately addressed by the governments of the State of Washington
or the United States of America, have not led to a decrease in the transportation of harmful fossil
fuels through our community, and did not account for the recent increases in transportation of
fossil fuels via rail through Edmonds;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EDMONDS, THAT:
Section 1: The City Council of the City of Edmonds strongly urges the United States
Department of Transportation and the United States Congres$ to prohibit the transportation of
crude oil by rail through the City of Edmonds.
Section 2: Copies of this resolution shall be transmitted by the City Clerk to the
President of the United States, the Secretary of the United States Department of
Transportation, the United States Secretary of Energy, and each member of the United States
Congress elected from this State, including: Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell,
and Representative Jim McDermott; Governor Jay Inslee; each member of the Washington
State delegation representing the City of Edmonds from Districts 21 and 32, including:
Senator Maralyn Chase, Senator Marko Liias, Representative Cindy Ryu, Representative
Ruth Kagi, Representative Strom Peterson, and Representative Lillian Ortiz -Self.
RESOLVED this 281" day of June, 2016.
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CITY OF EDMONDS
ATTEST:
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FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: June 24, 2016
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: June 28, 2016
RESOLUTION NO. 1362