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Tired Of Oil Trains? State Senator Wants To Consider Wash. Pipeline

<p><span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Part of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. A state senator has proposed studying whether to build a Washington state pipeline.<br /></span></p>

Part of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. A state senator has proposed studying whether to build a Washington state pipeline.

President Obama has vetoed the KeystoneXL Pipeline, but as more oil moves through the Northwest by rail, one Republican state senator says a pipeline through Washington state could be a solution.

Rep. Michael Baumgartner of Spokane has introduced legislation that would provide $250,000 to study a possible oil pipeline through Washington state.

The pipeline would move oil from the middle of the country to refineries and terminals on the Washington coast.

Oil train safety has emerged as a priority for both parties this legislative session, as more oil moves through the Northwest by rail. A pipeline would alleviate that traffic. There are more accidents associated with oil trains than pipelines, but overall, pipelines spill more oil when they rupture or break.

The bill has four co-sponsors, all Republican. Environmental groups dismissed the idea as a “political stunt” that won’t go anywhere.

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Ashley Ahearn