skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Oil Issues Front and Center This Week in Washington

play audio
Play

Tuesday, March 3, 2015   

SEATTLE - It's turning out to be a big week for oil transport issues in Washington.

On Monday, four conservation groups filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court, challenging the Port of Seattle's decision to allow oil drilling ships to be housed and repaired at the port's Terminal Five.

Becky Kelley, president of the Washington Environmental Council, says the concern is with a lease negotiated by the port with Shell Oil contractor Foss Maritime Company. The coalition contends the lease needed greater public review, because it would effectively change the use of the terminal.

"It was a container terminal, where they were putting closed containers on ships," says Kelley. "This new lease is for these enormous drill rigs to be moored at the terminal. That's different."

Port commissioners took some public comment on the lease, but the suit alleges it wasn't enough. In other areas where the oil ships are repaired, water pollution has been a problem. Shell has received federal criticism for inadequate oversight of its Arctic drilling contractors. The lawsuit asks port commissioners to vacate the lease.

Also on Monday, the Washington Department of Ecology handed legislators its final report on oil shipping in the state by water and rail, with recommendations on improving safety and emergency response.

The agency says the state may have limited authority to restrict oil shipments. But Rebecca Ponzio, the Washington Environmental Council's oil campaign director, says that doesn't mean the state is powerless.

"The state can certainly weigh in on financial responsibility for the stuff that is coming to our state, on what information is disclosed and available to the public, and on spill response and preparedness," Ponzio says.

The report comes as lawmakers are considering two different approaches to oil transport issues. HB 1449 in the House and SB 5087 in the Senate are backed by the governor. SB 5057 is an alternative in the Senate backed by the oil industry.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
Recipients of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant can now access funding to drive financing for thousands of climate-focused and clean energy initiatives. (bilanol/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Michigan's most vulnerable communities are receiving federal funding to fight the devastating effects of climate change. It's part of the $27 billion …


Health and Wellness

play sound

September is Health Literacy Month, and a Denver-based group is working to help health professionals break a persistent pattern of discrimination …

Social Issues

play sound

An Alabama woman is on a mission to help people who've been incarcerated for decades successfully transition back into society. The mission to …


Medicaid has covered more than $28.6 million in claims for dental services since expansion began, according to state data. (DC Studio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

In North Carolina, the gap between Medicaid reimbursement rates and the actual cost of dental care has reached a crisis point, impacting both …

Social Issues

play sound

September is Hunger Action Month. In North Dakota, it isn't just food banks trying to help underserved populations get nutritious items. Health …

A 2023 report by Oceana and Turtle Island Restoration Network found that more than half of the animals caught in gillnets are thrown overboard as waste. (Oceana and Blancpain)

Environment

play sound

Marine biologists conducting deep dives near five California islands are collecting data they hope will strengthen the case for ending gillnet fishing…

Environment

play sound

Researchers at Iowa State University are taking aim at the huge amount of energy used by data centers, now and in the future. They have developed a …

Environment

play sound

Rising demands for clean energy efficiency are producing a wealth of work opportunities in Illinois. These in-demand jobs are also promoting a …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021