City weighs key permit for oil terminal on Washington coast

SEATTLE – As the small city of Hoquiam considers a key permit for a proposed terminal that would store and move millions of barrels of crude oil through Grays Harbor, opponents are raising concerns about the potential for oil spills and impacts to tribal fishing rights.

Westway Terminal, recently renamed Contanda, wants to expand its existing methanol facility to receive up to 17.8 million barrels of oil per year and store up to 1 million barrels of crude oil. The project would bring crude oil by train where it would be stored in tanks and then loaded onto tankers or barges.

The Quinault Indian Nation and environmental groups say the environmental and safety risks are too great. They’re urging Hoquiam to deny the project a shoreline development permit.

Houston-based Contanda says it can safely build and operate the facility and that the project would bring jobs and economic benefits to the region.