ExxonMobil is planning to ship oversized modules on U.S. 12 along the winding route over Lolo Pass for the next decade according to the Korean manufacturer of the modules and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Sung Jin Geotec has said in press releases it has a $1.5 billion, 10-year contract to build the , the 24 foot wide, 196 foot long, and 30 feet tall modules of mining parts that weigh 300,000 pounds. The 200 it has already begun shipping to Lewiston, are only the beginning of the program. The shipments are headed to the Kearl Oil Sands Project of the ExxonMobil subsidiary Imperial Oil in Alberta.
The NRDC’s Bobby McEnaney, of its Lands & Wildlife Program, had the documents translated that show the initial shipments are only the first phase of the long term contract.
“This initial production, which will eventually amount to a total of $1.5 billion [US] dollars, this being just the first production guarantee for 20,000 tons of modules—resulting in 200 individual modules—is on track to be completed by July 2011, Sung Jin Geotec said in a March 3 press release. “After the first production round is successful, and increased bitumen production is expected to be successful (at the oil sands project), a guarantee to commence a second round of production in 2012 will start automatically.”
ExxonMobil officials have said they are not looking at alternative routes. They have run into a firestorm of opposition that has grown in both Idaho and Montana.
The contract and Exxon’s long term plan “represents a proposal that will alter the iconic Lolo Corridor into a permanent industrial transportation corridor,” McEnaney said.
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Digg
Yahoo
so
This is not news Barker. Can't you write about something new?
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For McEnaney to say it alters the corridor in a permanent industrial corridor is like saying shipping nuclear waste on railcars *permanently* changes the railroad to a nuclear corridor.
Ridiculous!
It is only ONE part of the future of the highway. logging transportation, commuting, commerce, and recreation will continue.
Not news?
Funny, I cover this issue pretty close and I didn't know ExxonMobil had a long term contract for the modules it has already begun shipping here without a permit to use the roads. This unidentified gadfly who loves to take swipes at me already knew that? Perhaps he should do his own blog and sign his work. I have no opinion about whether this will become a permanent industrial corridor or not.
News
Thanks Rocky, you took the words out of my mouth. This is huge news, it's been implied that this was a one time thing and then everything back to normal. I would hope the Supreme court will see thru this and stop it cold. The last thing I want to see is a 'Permanent Industrial Corridor' (thanks for the words) following those 2 pristine rivers.
Great Story
Good piece Rocky, thanks.
Read other newspapers
There are already modules sitting there in the Lewiston and have been for some time. Do you think they shipped them there without a contract? Or a without a contract to move them out of Lewiston on their way? Contract would be conditional on getting permits and things going to a schedule.
The Missoulian has reported the fact it is not a one-time deal. I posted the URL for a good Missoulian article on 8/25 to Richert.
quotes from that article to follow.
207
...intent of Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil's plan to ship 207 Korean-made modules of different shapes but similar dimensions through Idaho and Montana. But these four Billings-bound drums represent a more realistic future for oversized industrial cargo in the Rockies, Doeringsfeld said.
"I think this will be more of the norm - a couple of loads every six months or so," he said.
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"If one oil company is successful with this alternate transportation route, many other companies will follow their lead," the clause concluded. "The port dock will reduce transportation time and costs for the American-based oil companies."
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The report indicated partnerships and endorsements from Idaho's Department of Commerce, U.S. Sen. Michael Crapo of Idaho, Nez Perce County, the Idaho grain, wheat and barley commissions, Potlatch Corp. and Idaho Gov. Butch Otter
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PHOTOS of the modules and the above quotes are here:
http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_a05baa74-8c9f-11df-b42d-001cc4c03286.html
Yup
I remember your posts earlier and I do follow the Missoulan just for this. There has never been anything said about a 10 year contract though. Look at the other article in Idaho news. Exxon is trying to deny it now.
Connoco & Exxon
There is also the point there are at least two different companies involved.
Connocos are sitting there already.
ExxonMobil's first load is in Vancouver/enroute.
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The point is, who thought the current loads were the end of it?
No
The point is that you missed the point.
We all knew about the shipments of the first set of these things and we all knew about the route.
The NEWS, the POINT, is that there are actually ROUNDS of this thing. We were told what, a few shipments over the next year or so. The implication was that's it. Just one batch of these things, one round of this mess and it'd be done.
Now we find that the manufacturing contract is for another decade of shipments? That is the point.
When this was presented to the public we were told it'd be a one time only thing. Now we find that instead of one time only it's for a decade? THAT is the point. We were lied too and this is a far bigger project that it already was. Someone tried to sneak a wolf into the pen wearing sheep's clothing it would seem.
lies
Here's one for you too. 10 years.
Don't count your chickens (or sheep in your post) before the 10 years is up.
Based on the huge oil reserves in the Great Plains, oil companies will be extracting that for MANY years. They'll always need more loads of this stuff from overseas unless some US maker decides to do it- US manufacturing...ha, there's an idea.
If you thought it was a one round deal, you were only catching part of the story; maybe the part you wanted to hear.
Ignore him. From time to time he has a good point or two, but
his incessant sniping at the editors who provide free content detracts from any real point he has, and just makes him look angry and bitter.
Makes one wonder why he even comes here. Must be he11 to walk around hating the world as much as he apparently does.
"No his mind is not for rent, to any god or government." Neil Peart
freebies
It's free for you and me and so therefore we should drink up.
Enjoy the free Kool-Aid.
Yes, angry and bitter. That's me.
Bitter that Rocky has a blog and I don't.
But mostly I'm angry that you, BoisePoet, never send me any poetry!
Keep On It, Rocky!!
Not everyone interested reads every associated online story, but we are paying close attention to your informative reports. "Gadfly" may be giving the pimp more credit than deserved; 'egoist'(know-it-all)may be more apropos.
Thanks. Hard to cover all the media outlets, but the Statesman
is one the sources I rely on.
Amazing how people who get something for free want to be so critical. I was raised to call such behavior "rude", and the people who do it "thank-less users".
"No his mind is not for rent, to any god or government." Neil Peart
Rely on the Statesman
You rely on the Statesman for your news?
That is exactly why I post here. To help those that need help.
There have been many instances where I, and other posters, have called Rocky on something that he wrote to highlight that he is wrong and therefore spreading inaccurate information. Rocky however doesn't engage in complete dialogue. If you disagree with him, he ignores it. So other readers may not recognize they are relying on the Statesman for inaccurate news.
In general I don't care if people accept the wrong Statesman information- the Kool-Aid-If you wanna be dumb, go ahead. But the problem is when things like the wolf issue some day come to a vote. And the dumb Statesman readers accept Rocky's garbage and therefore have been 'brainwashed' by the liberal media to cast their vote to make a bad course of action in Idaho.
Case in point-
Rocky wrote, "Bears already were feeding on dead elk in the spring left by hunters when they crossed back into the park from its northern boundary.
That is the STUPIDEST thing I have EVER read. Rocky, replied, "I was there in March and saw them".
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p.s.
I also get free television news. No complaints there.
But you aren't spotless either in this pursuit.
Your mom also taught you to ignore those you found rude and such. Movies taught you when the enemy strikes, strike back immediately.
Neither of these strategies has worked since the nineties. The internet was Pandora.
You have to deal with now. Don't try to distance yourself. Call a spade a spade and take the responsibility.
Or just give up and stop pointing it out like you're a missionary.
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You must remove your post before it will be posted.
Hwy 12
Maybe this unidentified gadfly... works for Exon Mobile !!! Or maybe he is just CLUELESS !!! Thanks Rocky, for keeping the public informed of what is going on with this Pristine River Corridor ...
Otter-Highway 12
Hey Butch, read your cowboy code #9-Remember that some things aren't for sale.
Huh?
pimp2 sounds like a shill for Exxon/Mobil.
As an occasional user of US12 - a "crown jewel" recreation corridor - I am deeply disturbed by the implications of this story. And I appreciate Rocky for trying to shed as much light as possible.
But the Munchkins would just look at you weird for that.
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Celebrating my 3rd year posting 10/10/10
long term --
So 5 nights a week during the term of the contract, these mega loads -- 210x24x30 will have the private use of US 12 from Lewiston to Missoula and on into Canada. It's no wonder area citizens object as well as Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests and the Nez Perce Tribe. Even Missoula County and Missoula object to this.
If an accident involving these mega loads transports happens it will take 5 days to get a crane big enough to handle these mega loads to reach the area to assist. In a recently accident, a regular semi truck driving this road at night crashed spilling oil into the side of the road opposite the river but now that oil is leaching into the river. This is just one example of the citizens' concerns.
No only will local citizens be affected by such transports but all other commercial and personal transportation will be negatively affected.
US 12 is a 2 lane road through wild and scenic river corridor and protection for this area should be continued and these mega loads banned.
Well said
straight.
News to me too
This is news to me also and we've followed the story for quite awhile. I'm still stunned NOT ONE person from our congressional delegation has stepped forward to help stop these loads. Where are Crapo, Risch, Simpson etc????? Have they been bought off too??? The length of the contract should bring them running from under their rocks. And once again I'm in total agreement with Oversixty: TERM LIMITS TERM LIMITS. Apparently Idaho needs some new blood & new faces who have the guts to stand up for Idaho.
Silence
Their silence is deafening. They WANT this, that's why no talk in the press or them helping out on the issue.
Classic!
Butch Otter, his croneys, ITD and big oil have been working this plan for at least two years with ZERO involvement and/or notice to the people of Idaho - the very people who will be taxed to repair the damage caused by these mega-loads. This doesn't even consider the possible impacts to a valuable tourist-based economy along highway 12.
Over Sized Shipments Should be Allowed
We need the economic boost for North Central Idaho. Ensure good saftey measures, the oil company loses money if there's an accident, and let the shipments go ahead.
ExxonMobil - planetary bully
Well, now the truth is out. Just what the opponents of the megaloads have been saying all summer: the powerful and moneyed planetary bully, ExxonMobil, has been planning for a long time to turn the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway, All-American Road, Lewis & Clark and Nez Perce National Historic Trails, the Middle Fork of the Clearwater and Lochsa Wild and Scenic River corridors and the Nez Perce National Historic Park into an industrial truck route. Yes, U.S.12 bears all 7 of those national designations, and is also a segment of the TransAmerica Bicycle Route and is national recognized as one of top, if not the very top, recreational motorcycle route in the nation. And somehow the governor of Idaho and the Idaho Transportation Department feel free to denigrate all of this, and in the process, to deliver a devastating blow to north central Idaho's single growing industry, tourism/outdoor recreation. Where oh where is the Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Secy. of Transportation, Ray LaHood, while the rural people of north central Idaho are being rolled over by their own governor and transportation department in cahoots with Big Oil? Secretary LaHood can you hear us -- just regular taxpaying Americans -- crying out for your help???
ExxonMobil Phenomenal Safety record
The fact that they are involved actually makes me feel a little better about this. After the Valdez incident that effectively changed corporate culture into an effective safety first machine. It shows in the OSHA and other inspection reports. If this was BP I would personally go and stand in the road to stop the shipments.
Truth is hard to come by
Tangled web of deceit
We have read articles in the Missoulian online and how Missoula County is againest these loads too. Yes they mentioned this wasn't a one-time deal however I don't remember reading anything that actually stated a multiple year contract had been signed. I'm more than confused as I would assume the good county of Missoula AND the state of Montana would also have to have a long-term contract in place for these loads to proceed. Do they???? Seems the 2 states could get together and say NO. But.....'ol Butch and his merry band of "folks" appear to have already banked the check from Korea. I'm really curious if 'ol Gwartney had anything to do with the negiotiations & thats why he resigned so convientently.
kilt, ck this out
Another article in the Statesman
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/10/14/1379257/company-denies-shipments-until.html
Big Companies and Sound Environmental Stewardship
are not mutually exclusive. It seems to me that environmentalist oppose every business venture. Why can't we have profitable Oil companies, Timber companies, Mining companies and environmental saftey? I would add Nuclear energy companies as well.
profits
We do have profitable oil companies.
Unfortunately sometimes they take profits over environmental stewardship ef BP. And therefore enviros focus on those and assume all companies are the same or that risk cannot be mitigated.
Win some- lose some. There are worse things that could happen to HWy12 than a metal drum being tipped over. An earthquake comes to my mind.
So you're saying Exxon
is a good environmental steward?? A huge fiasco up in Alaska comes to mind. Exxon has still not paid in full for that, and their attorneys still have many suits tied up in court. Exxon is to be trusted?? I'm not an enviro, just a 62 year old guy that has lived my entire life in this state, traveled it from stem to stern, much of it off the pavement, and I'm tired of seeing the state trashed. Tired of promises that say "trust us, everything will be ok". And your saying "a metal drum being tipped over" is a ludicrous statement. EVERY truck will have 200+ gallons of diesel on board. If that makes it to the river severe environmental damage will occur. Nothing can be done about earthquakes (act of nature), but something can be done to stop these shipments, which are "acts of greedy people who have little, if any, regard for anything other than their profits."...Sunny...
North to Alaska
nope.
It's kinda like the risk of flying.
Considering the number of flights that occur on a daily basis, flying is safe. But everyone wants to focus on the plane that didn't fly and the shaky XYZ Airlines.
****
A much better discussion would be why are we NOT spending these dollars and efforts on a national energy conservation plan. Where is the HOPEFUL Obama administration and our liberal Congress on this? I thought the liberals wanted change. And there was a war for oil?
Do want an oil supply that provides national security or do you want to be held financial hostage by rogue government? Or do you want to be absolutely sure an Exxon truck doesn't tip over on Highway 12?
Those truckloads are only because of our global demand for oil.
Nothing has been said of the impact on our national water supply, the pollution caused by tar oil extraction, or the long-term impact on our national security.
Rocky, et al have not said anything about the *imaginary* impact beyond 100 miles of Hwy 12. "Oooh, I might have to wait 15 minutes instead of 10."
200 gallons of diesel being spilled on the highway would be a a sliver in a forest compared the bigger picture of the actual environment impact being done to extract tar oil- because of our lack of energy conservation.
***
If we spend our rescources developing alternative energy and energy conservation the mega trucks will dissappear.
Spill --
It is not just 200 gallons of diesel that WAS spilled it was 7,300 gallons from a regular semi-truck transport. These big rigs will be carrying much more. IT IS NOT SPILLED ON THE HIGHWAY, it is spilled along the highway leaching into the Lochsa River which flows into the Clearwater River which flows into the Snake and Columbia Rivers which affects fisheries. THAT IS THE BIG PICTURE. Plus, you need to keep in mind US 12 is the life line for those citizens living in that area. US 12 is their connection to emergency services, hospitals, etc. And a delay of any traffic regardless of time frame could be a life or death situation when there is no alternative route out.
Drive US 12 from Lewiton to Missoula and you will understand why local citizens from Spalding to Missoula are concerned. This is a two lane road following the rivers across the mountains.
HOW MUCH DIESEL does a semi-truck hold?
A dammed EMD locomotive doesn't hold much more.
Where do you people get 7300 gallons???
HONESTLY.
Whether of not it's a good idea it's been turned into a freakin' MONSTER along the way.
You guys need to be seriously ashamed. The Wizard says you already have a mind.
NEXT x 10 36th
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You must remove your post before it will be posted.
In case you missed it...the Repubs and Blue Dogs are doing
everything they can to keep a comprehensive energy plan from being realized.
When the motto of the Repubs has always been 'drill baby, drill', do you really think they are going to support anything that may deter from that?
"No his mind is not for rent, to any god or government." Neil Peart
You're right
Big companies can be good stewards of the environment.
Exxon however has proved repeatedly that they're NOT a good steward.
I'm all for profitable companies. I have no problem with a company that doesn't cause problems for the environment. Exxon has, does and based on their actions will continue to cause those problems.
Beyond that, these things are so monumentally HUGE that this particular road is NOT the appropriate place to transport them. Not for the pittance they're offering to pay the state for the privilege.
Big Companies and Environmental Stewardship
We could have both extraction/production and environmental stewardship if these giant resource extraction companies gave a hoot for the environment and for the people whose lives are negatively impacted by the extraction companies environmentally devastating practices, about which we have heard over and over and over and over for decades! Start with BP and head backwards in your mind ... one has to wonder if any human beings run these companies ... they seem utterly heartless.
By the way, the ExxonMobil shipments through Idaho are headed for the oils sands of Alberta, where extraction practices are being investigated and criticized from all corners for the toxic water, malformed fish, dead birds, and sick indigenous people falling in the wake of totally wreckless corporate practices and a giant carbon footprint.
So until humans with hearts (not just pocketbooks) start operating these corporations, I must conclude that big companies and sound environmental stewardship can not coexist.
Nor, with their spigots of money flowing out to politicians and CEOs, can these corporations and democracy coexist.
Why can't the shipments go through Canada via rail?
There is a Canadian railroad that connects the port of Vancouver to the interior, which would be much better suited for these "mega-loads". Anyone that thinks this would do no damage to highway 12 had better drive I-84 from Boise to Mountain Home. Loads on that stretch are limited to somewhere around 120,000 pounds (almost all are less than half that) and look what the commercial traffic has done to that stretch of the road. Anyone that favors this happening answer me this, how would Idaho benefit economically from it? The port fees in Lewiston? Diesel tax for the trucks? Oversize/overweight load fees? None of that would be enough to outweigh the cost of replacing highway 12 (the grain corridor to Lewiston from Montana) in a year or two.
I imagine there are tunnels in the Canadian Rockies on all
the possible routes that would not accomodate the size of these loads.
"No his mind is not for rent, to any god or government." Neil Peart
Butch should hang his head
in shame for selling out Idaho. None of the Idaho counties knew about this until 2 or 3 months ago and only then when Otter was questioned did a $10m bond attach to the permit. These "hidden" ventures were unknown to the area involved but Billings newspaper reported this 3 years ago. 3 years ago this was underway. Could this questionable project be also involved in the firing of the ITD director a couple of years ago?
These mega loads were previously coming into the US via Gulf and north to Cananda; why now up the Columbia to Lewiston through one of Idaho wild and scenic river corridors. This is the same area where citizens contend with wolves and now mega transports. Otter, is Idaho for sale? NO! Absolutely no.
It Gets Worse
Did you know that in March, the Idaho State Board of Examiners approved an overtime request from the Idaho State Police for escorting these megaloads? Why is Idaho's citizenry being treated this way? This is government at its worst and most shabby. http://www.lmtribune.com/story/northwest/518628/
photo
The Exxon modules:
http://www.columbian.com/news/2010/oct/04/port-of-vancouver-oil-sands-cargo/
***
Really?
And it's better to ship it assembled?
seems crazy-- but I'm no investigative journalist.
Lolo Pass
This is exactly why I'm no longer an Idaho Republican which I was for over 50 years. Since my party became for sale to big outside companies who put their profits (that mostly go outside the state) ahead of preserving our beautiful state and looking out for its citizens I can no longer support it. Remember the true Republicans were the Lincolns and Teddy Roosevelts and not these modern RHINOS who only focus on their own personal greed and ignore the needs of the less fortunate and the environment.
Goodbye party of Lincoln...
I think it started downhill with Taft (father and son), accelerated with Nixon's 'Southern Strategy', hit terminal velocity when Reagan aligned with Falwell, and shot straight to he11 under Bush II.
But then again, I remember my uncle saying 'if you aren't rich, how can you vote Republican', and that was the 70's.
"No his mind is not for rent, to any god or government." Neil Peart
A TRAVESTY IN OUR STATE
I LIVE IN THIS STATE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I WAS BORN HERE; AND I STAY HERE BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT AS CLOSE TO NATURE AS YOU CAN GET. THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE, BESIDES MYSELF, WHO WANT TO PRESERVE THAT WONDERFUL QUALITY AND IT SURE AS HECK ISN'T THE GOVERNOR OR HIS CRONIES. ONE ACCIDENT, WITH ONE LOAD OF THAT MINING EQUIPMENT AND ONE THIRD OF OUR STATE IS DESTROYED FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THE FOLKS IN OUR FAIR STATE? HOW CAN ANY OF US ALLOW THE G.O.P. TO GET AWAY WITH THIS? I AM ABSOLUTELY FED UP WITH "BIG MONEY AND BIG BUSINESS" NOT GIVING A WHIT ABOUT THE EARTH, THE ANIMALS, AND US LITTLE GUYS. WAKE UP, FOR PETE'S SAKE!!! UNLESS WE VOTE IN SOME LEGISLATORS THAT CAN SEE THE BIG PICTURE, NOT JUST THE $$$$$$, OUR STATE IS GOING DOWN THE DRAIN. ELECTION DAY IS COMING...IF YOU RESIDENTS OF THIS FINE STATE REALLY GIVE A DARN, GO TO THE POLLS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.
Please don't shout
It hurts my eyes.
I saw $$$$$$$$ and ignored it.
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Celebrating my 3rd year posting 10/10/10
US Infrastructure
I respect and enjoy that corridor 5 or 6 times a year on my way to Montana on business trips. That being said I think everybody should remember that when our country's infrastructure was built it was done for state to state comerce, not for individuals. Individuals should not be held above company's moving goods. Comerce is what paid for all the infrastructure development to begin with. I think protocals and regulations should be put in place and the company's involved should be insured to cover all damages and clean up should an accident occur. I also think steps to reduce the impact on surrounding community's should be in place and enforced. I wouldn't like to see the courts put a precedence in place to ban certain legal commercial activities on roads, it might affect you or me in the future.