PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Port of Vancouver Commission has decided that Vancouver Energy needs to get its permits and approvals in place for the project by the end of March or its lease will be terminated.
Commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday to give Vancouver Energy notice that project approvals are required by March 31, 2018.
Vancouver Energy has been trying to build a terminal that would transport thousands of barrels of crude oil a day. Oil would temporarily be stored at the port of Vancouver site, and then loaded onto tankers and ships bound for West Coast refineries.
Developers have said the terminal is needed to bring crude oil from North Dakota and other areas to a western U.S. port to meet growing fuel demands and future energy needs. They’ve argued that it could be built safely and would secure a reliable supply of energy for the state.
Tribes, environmental groups and municipalities such as the city of Vancouver lined up against the project.
Opponents argued that the terminal would mostly benefit the energy needs of California — and potentially overseas markets in the future — while exposing Washington communities to all the public safety and environmental risks.The Associated Press contributed to this report.