Victory: Vancouver Steps Up on Fossil Fuels

City Council Steering Vancouver Away From Large-Scale Fossil Fuels

In June, the Vancouver City Council unanimously passed a six-month moratorium that prevents the construction or expansion of new large-scale fossil fuel facilities, a policy long sought by Vancouver activists in the wake of the successful five-year struggle to stop the controversial Tesoro-Savage oil train terminal. On July 20, the City Council will hold its first public hearing on the moratorium. This is an important opportunity to support the City’s bold action in protecting Vancouver’s future. Send an email to the Vancouver City Council to support them for passing the moratorium on new major coal, fracked gas, and oil terminals.

The moratorium on large-scale fossil fuel facilities is a major step towards building a resilient, sustainable, and equitable Vancouver, and it creates an opportunity for city planners to develop a more comprehensive climate and resilience plan for the city without the threat of a new major fossil fuel terminal. In introducing the resolution, Councilmember Laurie Lebowsky acknowledged the environmental justice threat that fossil fuel terminals pose, stating “fossil fuel processing or storage facilities are often located in close proximity to low income communities or communities of color.” The City Council voted unanimously in favor of the moratorium.

The moratorium has taken effect, but our work is not done: the City’s public hearing on July 20 is a key moment for our community to weigh-in with support for the City’s policy restricting new large-scale fossil fuel facilities. Vancouver joins a growing number of cities recognizing the values of moving away from fossil fuels, and we hope you will join us in supporting this exciting move to build a more healthy and sustainable future.

You can register here to testify at the City Council meeting.

FIGHTING FOSSIL FUELS

Stunning new fossil fuel proposals threaten the Columbia. The good news? We are fighting and winning!