POV_T5-2010We all intuitively know how important it is to protect our air quality. It’s one of the most critical components in making sure we safeguard our community as we grow.

Fortunately, our state has developed a complex and robust regulatory framework to ensure the protection of this vital resource – the air we breathe.

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) is the regulating agency in Washington state with overall permitting authority for  the proposed crude oil terminal at the Port of Vancouver USA. The EFSEC process is thorough and will include a rigorous and comprehensive multilayer review of the emissions from the proposed terminal that allow opportunities for public input:

Air Permit
In order to obtain air permit approval, an application was submitted to EFSEC describing the proposed project, the emissions associated with the project, and demonstrating that the proposed project meets all applicable regulatory standards including analysis and use of best available control technology.

EFSEC is working with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) to perform a thorough review of the application (including the air modeling analysis), and will request any additional information/data necessary to make an informed decision.  EFSEC will issue a draft air permit if it determines the project will clearly meet all applicable requirements. The public will have a chance to provide comment on the draft permit to EFSEC and Ecology. EFSEC will establish the conditions to include in the air permit. The project must meet all local, state and federal Clean Air Act standards or a permit cannot be issued.

State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
EFSEC has contracted with Cardno Entrix, an independent consultant who will ensure the appropriate scope of environmental information is contained in the DEIS. The DEIS will include a review and evaluation of air impacts of the proposed project. In a parallel process to the air permit, the public will have a chance to review and comment on the draft EIS. EFSEC will hold public hearings on the draft EIS.

EFSEC Adjudicative Proceeding
The EFSEC certification process includes a formal “adjudicative proceeding” similar to courtroom proceedings, where the EFSEC council hears from parties on the proposed project to allow them to present evidence and arguments for areas they do not feel have been appropriately addressed. The Attorney General’s Counsel for the Environment represents the public and its interest in the adjudication process.

EFSEC Consideration and Governor Approval
When the adjudicative proceeding has concluded, the EFSEC takes time to consider the information collected to determine if the project should be recommended to the Governor for approval. If EFSEC recommends governor approval, a draft Site Certification Agreement will include all of the environmental conditions the applicant must meet for construction and operation throughout the life of the project with the air permit as an attachment. The Governor will consider EFSEC’s recommendation and either approve or reject the Site Certification Agreement or direct EFSEC to reconsider certain aspects of the project.

Local Air Quality
In addition to the robust process above, the proposed project will comply with local air regulations under the jurisdiction of Southwest Clean Air Agency (SWCAA). While not a requirement, the exercise is an important step to understand how the emissions from the facility comply with local air quality considerations.

If the proposed project does not receive the Governor’s approval, Tesoro-Savage won’t be allowed to move forward with their project at the Port of Vancouver. Obtaining all the necessary permits is a requirement of the port’s lease with Tesoro-Savage. It’s how we structure our leases and just one way we do our part in safeguarding the community.

The port encourages the public to get involved in the EFSEC process to ensure their concerns are clearly communicated in the process. To sign up for the EFSEC mailing list for the project, visit the EFSEC website.