VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — A critic of a proposed oil-by-rail terminal in Vancouver has a solid lead in a port commissioner race that may shape the project’s future.
Don Orange was leading Kris Greene with 64.6 percent of the Tuesday night in the Port of Vancouver race. The next ballot update is set for Wednesday afternoon.
The local race has drawn more than $1 million in cash and in-kind contributions. It has been seen by some as a referendum on a project that would handle about 360,000 barrels of crude oil a day.
Orange, who is backed by environmental groups, said he would work to end the Port of Vancouver’s lease with Vancouver Energy.
Vancouver Energy and other project backers pumped $370,000, the bulk of cash contributions, to back Greene in the election.
A state energy panel is currently reviewing the project. It will make a recommendation to Gov. Jay Inslee, who will have the final say.