By Nancy Hiser
Linnton Speaks Out was gifted a $5000 grant from Stand Up to Oil (SUTO) to fund educating the public about the profound risks that the CEI Hub creates. We are still surprised to learn that many Portlanders are unaware of the potential for catastrophe, the safety risks to workers and local residents, public health hazards from air pollution, and damage to the environment. The proposal was written by Pam Nicholls, who lives across the river, and Paula Doherty, who lives south of Linnton- -both are Linnton Speaks Out Allies because they share our risks and concerns.
The money will fund a billboard along Highway 30 and demonstration signs exposing the dangers we face from the oil and gas facilities. For the inaugural protest action in December, demonstrators held signs along Bridge Rd. between St Helens Rd and the St Johns Bridge so that drivers going up to the bridge and coming down from the bridge could read the rhyme in sequence. Here’s the message, created by Shawn Looney:
• 600 fuel tanks sitting here
• 300 million gallons very near
• Could tanks blow up? What would it take?
• Human error, lightning, big earthquake !
• Oh my, don’t tarry. Big blast – really scary !
• What to do? Tell your friends!
• Fuel tank owners: Make amends.
In an hour during peak commute time, more than a thousand cars passed by. Signs directed people to Linnton Neighborhood Association’s Tank Farm Safety webpage and to our advocacy group, Linnton Speaks Out , where they can sign up to support our actions. https://linntonna.org/get-involved/tank-farm-safety/