Rev. Lore protests oil trains in Pacific Northwest
Cites transport risks and climate change threat
The Rev. Kate Lore, Social Justice Minister at the First Unitarian and Universalist Church, spoke at a protest against oil train shipments in Northwest Portland. The shipments pose dangers from possible explosions and also climate change.
Her Statement
"It's no secret: we live in one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse regions in the country. It is why we have chosen to live here. What is largely a secret is the sheer number of trains moving crude oil through these beautiful places; 380,000 barrels per day. The scale of oil transport is unprecedented and is posing unnecessary threats to the wild places we love.
"Accidents happen; we know this. Yet the blueprints for responding to an inevitable oil train accident on the Columbia River, Deschutes River and other sensitive areas are outdated. None of them have taken into account the risks oil train accidents pose to salmon and other key species. Nor do they admit that the greater the volume of traffic, the greater the risk of an accident, explosion and major spill. The region is not ready for the environmental catastrophe that would follow.
"While this threat is more than sufficient reason to oppose the transport of oil through our precious and pristine ecosystems, there is and even more urgent issue. The burning of exported oil is increasing net carbon emissions, warming the atmosphere and contributing to climate change that is already exacting un-intended costs and leading us in the direction of environmental catastrophy.
"We must stand together and draw a green line between oil exporters and ourselves. Let us leave oil in the ground; let us protect the beauty and life of this region; let us say “no” to oil exports."
For more information about The Rev. Kate Lore, click here.
"It's no secret: we live in one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse regions in the country. It is why we have chosen to live here. What is largely a secret is the sheer number of trains moving crude oil through these beautiful places; 380,000 barrels per day. The scale of oil transport is unprecedented and is posing unnecessary threats to the wild places we love.
"Accidents happen; we know this. Yet the blueprints for responding to an inevitable oil train accident on the Columbia River, Deschutes River and other sensitive areas are outdated. None of them have taken into account the risks oil train accidents pose to salmon and other key species. Nor do they admit that the greater the volume of traffic, the greater the risk of an accident, explosion and major spill. The region is not ready for the environmental catastrophe that would follow.
"While this threat is more than sufficient reason to oppose the transport of oil through our precious and pristine ecosystems, there is and even more urgent issue. The burning of exported oil is increasing net carbon emissions, warming the atmosphere and contributing to climate change that is already exacting un-intended costs and leading us in the direction of environmental catastrophy.
"We must stand together and draw a green line between oil exporters and ourselves. Let us leave oil in the ground; let us protect the beauty and life of this region; let us say “no” to oil exports."
For more information about The Rev. Kate Lore, click here.