Port of Vancouver officials OK oil terminal lease extension

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Port of Vancouver officials are giving the company behind a proposed rail-to-marine oil transfer terminal eight more months to secure permits.

The Columbian reported opponents wanted the lease terminated altogether, while Vancouver Energy had asked for another two years.

Port commissioners agreed to extend the permitting and early termination deadline Friday after deliberating for almost five hours.

Most of the 200 people who spoke at a public hearing Tuesday were against the project.

Officials are expected to vote Tuesday on a processing extension requested by the company.