It has been suggested we have an “adult conversation’’ about the Port of Vancouver oil terminal. Some folks have decided that a few jobs are worth a lot of risk to the general population.
We should assume the pro-terminal public thinks the work will include significant hazard pay. That pay needs to cover health and long-term care insurance to deal with the risk related to the pollutants and their long term health hazards. They will need additional accident and life insurance as well as indemnification should an accident occur from human error.
This is of course in addition to the huge risks not only around the port, but across the thousands of miles of rail carrying thousands of oil tankers with a high probability of an explosion somewhere within the state.
There will be additional costs in the loss of real estate values for those near the railroad tracks; and the cleanup-fund will be at taxpayer expense.
The real “adult in the room’’ is Eric LaBrant, who supports a Port whose business expansion focuses on safe jobs. He has a long relationship with the Port, unlike the other candidates. Check out his credentials at www.ericforport.com.
Karen Hengerer
Vancouver
