For over a century a massive array of tanks filled with noxious, explosive liquid fuels and chemicals has been an existential threat to the Pacific Northwest. It still is, but as a result of the passage of the Risk Bond Bill at the end of this past legislative session, we now have some accountability for fossil fuel corporations! This bill requires bulk oil and liquid fuel terminals to maintain “risk bonds,” or insurance to cover damages due to accidents, spills, or earthquakes, ensuring that these companies — rather than taxpayers — will be the ones to pay for disasters.
On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with Nikki Mandel and Melanie Plaut, who have been instrumental in organizing support that helped shepherd this bill through the legislature.