Portland, Oregon, Mayor Urges Governors to Ban Oil-by-train

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland Mayor Charlie Hales and Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury urged the governors of Oregon and Washington to push Congress for a permanent ban on oil-by-train in the wake of a recent fiery oil train derailment.

Hales and Kafoury, along with other government and health officials, said Tuesday the June 3 incident in Mosier, Oregon, proves transporting oil by train through communities isn't safe and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown's call for a temporary moratorium on oil trains in the Columbia River Gorge isn't enough.

They pressed the governors to also oppose all proposed projects, such as the Tesoro-Savage terminal in Vancouver, Washington.

Brown expressed concern about the Tesoro project in a statement. She said she'd press federal officials for tighter rail safety rules, which are in litigation or still being completed.