John,

Even as the threat of the disastrous Trans Mountain pipeline looms over the Pacific Northwest, tar sands crude oil is already moving through our region—by barge through Puget Sound, by pipeline through Whatcom and Skagit counties, and by train through Eastern Washington and along the Columbia River Gorge and Salish Sea.

In addition to being one of the most climate-polluting fossil fuels on the planet, heavy tar sands crude oil sinks when spilled into the water and is virtually impossible to clean up, causing irreparable damage to shoreline communities and vulnerable aquatic ecosystems.

Tell Ecology: Washington needs stronger protections from tar sands crude oil!

Right now, Ecology is updating the rules that require companies moving oil to have detailed spill response plans that address the specific threats of tar sands oil. Unfortunately, the updated plans are inadequate and leave us at risk of a catastrophic oil spill. Ecology must act now to increase protections for non-floating oils, like tar sands oils, with more stringent response time and equipment requirements for a fast, aggressive, and well-coordinated response to contain and recover tar sands oils before they submerge and sink.

Last week, activists from across the state attended hearings in Everett, Vancouver, and Spokane to call on Ecology to strengthen our protections against a tar sands oil spill. Now, they need to hear from you.

Comment NOW to tell Ecology they must establish the strongest possible protections from oil spills.

Washington waters are exposed to the risk of oil spills every day. This risk threatens coastal jobs, livelihoods, and wildlife, including the endangered Southern Resident orcas. With so many current and proposed fossil fuel projects in our region, we need stronger protections to protect us from a worst-case oil spill.

The risks are too great and Washington deserves better.

Thank you for all you do,

Rein Attemann
Puget Sound Campaign Manager