Resolution 1317RESOLUTION NO. 1317
A RESOLUTION RELATED TO PETROLEUM
TRANSPORT BY RAIL THROUGH EDMONDS AND
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON; URGING ADOPTION
OF STATE LEGISLATION AND FEDERAL
REGULATIONS; STATE ASSESSMENT OF
RISKS; RAILROAD COMPANY RESTRICTION OF
PETROLEUM TRANSPORT; AND UPDATE OF CITY
INCIDENT RESPONSE PLANS TO ADDRESS THE
POTENTIAL SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND
ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF PETROLEUM TRANSPORT
BY RAIL.
WHEREAS, new technologies have resulted in the development of unprecedented
amounts of both domestic and foreign oil, natural gas, tar sands, bitumen,
and other petroleum products and derivatives, which will significantly
increase the volume of petroleum and petroleum products moving by rail
through Oregon and Washington from the first dedicated train in 2012 to a
possible volume of nearly 800,000 barrels per day, if all proposed projects
are built; and
WHEREAS, the volume of petroleum -by -rail moving through our region is expected to
triple to over one million barrels per week; and
WHEREAS, the primary source of the petroleum anticipated to be transported by rail
through our region is from the Bakken formation, which the U.S.
Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration has determined may be more flammable than traditional
heavy crude oil; and
WHEREAS, the rail lines that will carry this petroleum run through and by Edmonds'
neighborhoods, parks, business areas, ferry terminal, senior center and
along our waterfront, marsh, and other natural areas; and
WHEREAS, recent derailments, spills, and fires, such as the recent derailment and
explosion in Casselton, North Dakota, illustrate the potential catastrophic
impacts which could occur to our community and environment from the
transport of petroleum by rail; and
WHEREAS, the transport of large volumes of fossil fuels such as petroleum 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 is deeply concerned about the threat to life, safety
and the environment of potential spills and fires from the transport of
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petroleum by rail;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EDMONDS, AND THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1: The City of Edmonds strongly urges Washington State to adopt
legislation requiring disclosure of the volumes, types of petroleum,
petroleum products, and petroleum derivatives; transportation routes; and
the frequency and duration of transfers of petroleum, so that the state and
local communities can be fully informed of and plan for the risks posed by
the transport of petroleum by rail.
Section 2: The City of Edmonds strongly urges the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) to increase federal tank car design and operation
regulations for petroleum product shipments and aggressively phase out
older -model tank cars used to move flammable liquids that are not
retrofitted to meet new federal requirements.
Section 3: The City of Edmonds strongly urges the Washington
Department of Ecology and the Military Department Emergency
Management Division, in collaboration with the Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife, the Coast Guard and local government emergency
response entities, to assess the impact to public safety, the environment,
the economy, and traffic of petroleum transport by rail through the region
and the State of Washington.
Section 4: The City of Edmonds requests that the Governor of
Washington, the Washington Department of Ecology, the Washington
State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, and any other relevant state
agencies refrain from permitting projects that would expand the capacity
for petroleum export out of the state or otherwise increase the number
of trains carrying petroleum through Washington communities until the
cumulative environmental and safety impacts of these projects are studied
and addressed.
Section 5: The City of Edmonds requests that any railroad company that
operates rail lines adjacent to the Edmonds Senior Center, the Edmonds
Marsh, the Edmonds/Kingston ferry terminal, and the Edmonds waterfront
consider restrictions on the shipment of petroleum products along those
routes until adequate study by relevant state, local, and federal government
agencies have determined that the transport of petroleum by rail meets
established public safety and environmental protection standards.
Section 6: The City Council requests that Fire District One and the
Emergency Services Coordination Agency (ESCA) to review and, if
needed, update the incident response plans for the increasing risk imposed
by the transport of petroleum by rail.
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RESOLVED this i 74d-,a y of , 20/�.
AP ROVED:
MAYOR, DAVID ❑. EARLING
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
CI LERK, SC PASSEY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: April 11, 2014
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: April 15, 2014
RESOLUTION NO. 1317
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