Summary

Executive Constantine – who is the chair of an organization of more than 160 elected leaders from across the Pacific Northwest committed to safe transport and export of coal and oil – issued a statement after an oil train derailed and caused a massive fire in the Columbia River Gorge.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine – who is Chair of the Safe Energy Leadership Alliance – issued the following statement after an oil train derailed and caught fire in the Columbia River Gorge, causing schools to be evacuated in Mosier, Ore., and closed parts of Interstate 84:

“We’ve seen massive oil-train fires occur across North America – and now we’ve experienced it here in the Pacific Northwest. Today’s devastating fire in the Columbia River Gorge shows why it’s so important that we stand united to protect our communities from the increasing risk of human-caused disasters like this.

“The volume of highly volatile crude rolling through our cities and neighborhoods has surged in recent years, and would increase even more if proposed oil terminals are built.

“That’s why we created the Safe Energy Leadership Alliance, so that locally elected leaders can work together across tribal, city, county, state and international borders to protect our people, our economy, and our environment."

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Chad Lewis, Executive Office, 206-263-1250