Hundreds weigh in on plan to build nation's largest oil transfer terminal in Washington

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — Nearly 400 people signed up to testify about a plan to create the nation's largest oil transfer terminal in southwest Washington.

The Columbian reports that the first of several public hearings was held in Vancouver Tuesday and lasted more than eight hours.

Vancouver Energy wants to build a terminal along the Columbia River that can handle an average 360,000 barrels of crude per day. The oil would be shipped to refineries on the West Coast.

Terminal opponents outnumbered supporters Tuesday. They argued that the terminal would risk life, ecology and property.

Proponents of the project say it can be built safely and will provide jobs in the region.

The evaluation council will make a recommendation to Gov. Jay Inslee, who has final say on the project.