Oil Train Theater: Close Call in Mosier, Oregon

Close Call in Mosier presents the direct words of those who experienced the derailment and fire. (Frances Burke, Alan Hirsch, Jean Jackman)

This Oil Train Theater piece was prepared for the 3rd Stop Oil Trains memorial of the Lac Megantic oil train derailment and explosion that claimed the lives of 47 people in July 2013.   It highlights the close call in Mosier, Oregon when an oil train derailed and four cars burst into flame on June 4th, 2016.  Most of the words are direct quotes from the people involved.

Oil Trains: How to stay informed and be active

Approximately 70 Davisites protested oil trains coming through our town as they marched from the train station through the blast zone to Central Park to watch “Near miss in Mosier,” a play about the derailment and explosion in Oregon just weeks before the July 9 rally.  Photo by Richard McAdam.

Concerned about Oil Trains passing through Davis?  Here are tips on ways to keep up-to-date on new developments.  The latest move by Valero takes the issue of federal preemption to the Surface Transportation Board in Washington D.C. and includes not only the Valero proposal in Benicia but the Phillips 66 project in San Luis Obispo and other west coast projects.  To be actively involved, you must stay informed.

A group of Davisites gathered on July 9th at the train station with signs urging a stop to the transportation of crude oil by rail.  They marched through the blast zone (the area within a half mile of the tracks) carrying a banner of an oil tank car that holds 30,000 gallons

Stop Oil Trains Rally

A derailment and fire like the one in Mosier, Oregon could happen in Davis.

All are invited to the second Stop Oil Trains Rally on Saturday, July 9^th.  Meet at the Davis Train Station at 9:30am.  Bring a sign and wear black for the solemnity of the occasion.   Walk through the down town to Central Park to gather at the Rotary Stage (near the carousel) at 10:00am.  The program includes songs, an update by Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor, and a Reader’s Theater Version of “Close Call in Mosier.” 

BEnicia hears oil train concerns from Davisites

The April 4th rally of Benicians for Safe and Healthy Community before the City Council hearing on the Appeal for the Valero Crude-by-Rail Project.

Cross posted from the Davis Enterprise, April 6, 2016

By Lynne Nittler

Davis was well-represented at the Benicia City Council hearing for the Valero Crude-by-Rail Project this Monday evening.  Of the approximately 48 people who spoke, 12 came from Davis or Dixon, and another 6 came from Sacramento.  Other locals were scattered in the audience waiting for their names to be called to testify.

Update on Valero Crude-by-Rail and Next Steps

Linda Maio, Vice Mayor of Berkeley, spoke to the Planning commission.

After three years of study, the Benicia Planning Commission voted not to certify the final EIR and denied the Valero Crude-by-Rail on February 11, 2016.    Read about the Planning Commission Resolution here.

Listen to the Chairman’s report to the City Council here.

Ride the bus to Valero Crude-by-rail Hearings in Benicia April 4

 

Add your presence to the City Hall Chambers in Benicia as hearings on the Valero Crude-by-Rail Project begin before the City Council.

Dear oil train activist,

It’s your turn to speak out.

Benicia’s City Council is about to decide the fate of Davis area residents living in the blast zone.

Sign up NOW and GET ON THE BUS to the Benicia City Council hearing on April 4th. 

Phillips 66 and Valero – A Tale of Two Oil Train Projects

Over 300 people signed up to give testimony at the hearings in San Luis Obispo County regarding the Phillips 66 rail spur project.

Cross-posted from the Davis Vanguard on February 16, 2016

by Elizabeth Lasensky

The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission and the City of Benicia Planning Commission heard public comment this month on two very similar oil train requests from refineries.

Oil train danger for Davis averted…at least for now

Ten Davis residents who followed the Benicia crude-by-rail project for years gave testimony in Benicia on the FEIR.

Reposted from the Davis Enterprise From page B5 | February 14, 2016  By Lynne Nittler and Jean Jackman

It has been an exhausting and dramatic week for Davis activists and those from Sacramento and other cities uprail from the proposed Valero Refinery expansion in Benicia.

Ten of us have traveled from Davis in two carpools to testify on the Valero crude-by-rail project. We have participated actively in the stages of a complicated public review process that began in 2013.   Now, the final environmental impact report was up for a last public hearing before the Benicia Planning Commission.

Jean Jackman’s Testimony to Benicia Planning Commission on Feb. 9, 2016

Jean Jackman asks the Planning Commission to be good neighbors, moral people, and consider the health of all people along the rail.

Re:  Public Comment delivered at Feb. 9, 2016 Planning Commission meeting.  This is my written version of comments regarding the FEIR and the Valero Crude-by-Rail Project.  Please note I have submitted letters to earlier drafts as well.

Good evening Commissioners.  Thank you for you public service, dedication and endurance.

My name is Jean Jackman and I am your neighbor from Davis.

 I am terrified at the prospect of 1.5 million gallons of oil rolling through my town twice a day.

Frances Burke’s Testimony to Benicia Planning Commission on Feb. 10, 2016

Frances Burke urged the Planning Commission not to base their future on a dinosaur industry.

Good Evening, My name is Frances Burke I am from the City of Davis in Yolo County.

As has been brought to your attention, Davis is a uprail community . Oil mega trains headed to the  Valero refinery will pass through our downtown and past my house..  I live in a UC Davis housing community and within 200 feet of the Union Pacific rail tracks. I can see and hear trains passing by all day and all night. With the Valero refinery and the crude oil trains it will bring, I will feel, smell, and taste the additional fumes and breath the additional particulate matter from the increased daily trains.  I will hear and feel the increased train traffic every time they signal at a crossing, and I am a potential victim of a deadly accident, explosion or train derailment.