Dear Whatcom County Councilmember, I Am One of 9,000
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From: Porter, Gregory To: Barbara Brenner; Rud Browne; Barry Buchanan; Todd Donovan; Ken Mann; Satpal Sidhu; Carl Weimer Cc: Council Subject: Oppostion to the Whatcom County Comp Plan Date: Monday, July 04, 2016 2:48:21 PM Dear Whatcom County Councilmember, I am one of 9,000 people whose direct, indirect, and induced jobs are supported by the Cherry Point Industrial Zone. The newly proposed amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan would greatly impact the economic viability of the refinery, and as a result, the people who work here. The new language creates a new policy with the goal to prevent new or existing facilities from exporting fossil fuels and to prohibit the County from permitting any such new capacity. The proposed amendments have not been studied by county planning staff (no staff report was provided with these amendments), have not undergone State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review, and have not been appropriately reviewed by the public. We both need and deserve more time to thoroughly review and comment on an entirely new vision for the future of Whatcom County. Unfortunately, with the some of the new language proposed in the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan – our jobs are at risk, along with a steadfast and proven partner in environmental stewardship and community giving. The total loss of jobs in Whatcom County would be 270 for every 50 jobs lost at the refineries. BP, Phillips 66, and Intalco pay $14.7M in property taxes each year and the Cherry Point Industrial Zone businesses pay more than $200M in taxes, annually – supporting local schools, fire districts, infrastructure, and Bellingham Bay clean-up efforts. BP Cherry Point Refinery has been a member of the Wildlife Habitat Council since 2009, a standing that exemplifies its commitment to improving wildlife habitat through stewardship, restoration, and establishment of habitat on its property. BP Cherry Point Refinery has restored approximately 2,200 lineal feet of Terrell Creek, dedicated protected land for a Great Blue Heron rookery, and has nearly 1,500 acres under a Farm Conservation Plan. BP Cherry Point Refinery has been the top supporter of the United Way of Whatcom County since 2004, contributing more than $4.5M from corporate, employee, and special event giving. As employees, friends and neighbors, and as a company we respect the world in which we operate - we breathe the same air, drink the same water, shop at the same stores, attend the same schools, and treasure the same quality of life as all other county residents. Respecting and preserving that quality of life begins with compliance with laws and regulations. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and we behave in ways that earn the trust of others. We depend on the relationships we have and respect each other and those with whom we work. We value diversity of people and thought. We care about the consequences of our decisions, large and small, on those around us. We are committed to excellence through the systematic and disciplined management of our operations. We care about the safe management of the environment. We are committed to safely delivering energy. Please oppose any amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan that would significantly harm the future utilization of the Cherry Point Urban Growth Area. Greg Porter BP Cherry Point Refinery Laboratory Technician From: Johnson, Mark K To: Barbara Brenner; Rud Browne; Barry Buchanan; Todd Donovan; Ken Mann; Satpal Sidhu; Carl Weimer Cc: Council Subject: Opposition to the Whatcom County Comp Plan Date: Monday, July 04, 2016 11:16:17 AM Dear Whatcom County Councilmember, I am one of 800 employees who work at the BP Cherry Point Refinery. My family, friends and neighbors are some of the 9,000 people whose direct, indirect, and induced jobs are supported by the Cherry Point Industrial Zone. The newly proposed amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan would greatly impact the economic viability of the refinery, and as a result, the people who work here. The new language creates a new policy with the goal to prevent new or existing facilities from exporting fossil fuels and to prohibit the County from permitting any such new capacity. The proposed amendments have not been studied by county planning staff (no staff report was provided with these amendments), have not undergone State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review, and have not been appropriately reviewed by the public. We both need and deserve more time to thoroughly review and comment on an entirely new vision for the future of Whatcom County. Unfortunately, with the some of the new language proposed in the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan – our jobs are at risk, along with a steadfast and proven partner in environmental stewardship and community giving. Unfortunately for the second year in a row, some members of this council have tried to insert changes to policy and law with no significant notice on July 5th the day after the holiday weekend hoping changes can be snuck into law without public scrutiny or public comments. This is a behavior that is not transparent and tries to take advantage of our public trust in you as our elected officials. I for one, am tired of this behavior and will do my best to see that you are replaced during the next election cycle, with council members that are above board and who are not sneaks and who will not try to impose their own personal opinions and will over the entire county, without discussion or comments by the community members who elected you. · The total loss of jobs in Whatcom County would be 270 for every 50 jobs lost at the refineries. · BP, Phillips 66, and Intalco pay $14.7M in property taxes each year and the Cherry Point Industrial Zone businesses pay more than $200M in taxes, annually – supporting local schools, fire districts, infrastructure, and Bellingham Bay clean-up efforts. · BP Cherry Point Refinery has been a member of the Wildlife Habitat Council since 2009, a standing that exemplifies its commitment to improving wildlife habitat through stewardship, restoration, and establishment of habitat on its property. · BP Cherry Point Refinery has restored approximately 2,200 lineal feet of Terrell Creek, dedicated protected land for a Great Blue Heron rookery, and has nearly 1,500 acres under a Farm Conservation Plan. · BP Cherry Point Refinery has been the top supporter of the United Way of Whatcom County since 2004, contributing more than $4.5M from corporate, employee, and special event giving. Whatcom County is my community, too. As employees and as a company we respect the world in which we operate. It begins with compliance with laws and regulations. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and we behave in ways that earn the trust of others. We depend on the relationships we have and respect each other and those we work with. We value diversity of people and thought. We care about the consequences of our decisions, large and small, on those around us. We recognize we are in a hazardous business, and are committed to excellence through the systematic and disciplined management of our operations. We care about the safe management of the environment. We are committed to safely delivering energy. Please oppose any amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan that would significantly harm the future utilization of the Cherry Point Urban Growth Area. Mark K Johnson 316 West Lake Samish Drive #11 Bellingham, Wa. 98229 BP Cherry Point Refinery Operations Foreman 30yr Refinery Employee Lifetime Whatcom county resident A Voter who is disappointed in this councils behavior From: Keefe, David C To: Barbara Brenner; Rud Browne; Barry Buchanan; Todd Donovan; Ken Mann; Satpal Sidhu; Carl Weimer Cc: Council Subject: Opposition to the Whatcom County Comp Plan Date: Monday, July 04, 2016 9:53:23 AM Dear Whatcom County Councilmember, I am one of 9,000 people whose direct, indirect, and induced jobs are supported by the Cherry Point Industrial Zone. The newly proposed amendments to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan would greatly impact the economic viability of the refinery, and as a result, the people who work here. The new language creates a new policy with the goal to prevent new or existing facilities from exporting fossil fuels and to prohibit the County from permitting any such new capacity. The proposed amendments have not been studied by county planning staff (no staff report was provided with these amendments), have not undergone State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review, and have not been appropriately reviewed by the public. We both need and deserve more time to thoroughly review and comment on an entirely new vision for the future of Whatcom County. Unfortunately, with the some of the new language proposed in the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan – our jobs are at risk, along with a steadfast and proven partner in environmental stewardship and community giving. The total loss of jobs in Whatcom County would be 270 for every 50 jobs lost at the refineries. BP, Phillips 66, and Intalco pay $14.7M in property taxes each year and the Cherry Point Industrial Zone businesses pay more than $200M in taxes, annually – supporting local schools, fire districts, infrastructure, and Bellingham Bay clean-up efforts. BP Cherry Point Refinery has been a member of the Wildlife Habitat Council since 2009, a standing that exemplifies its commitment to improving wildlife habitat through stewardship, restoration, and establishment of habitat on its property. BP Cherry Point Refinery has restored approximately 2,200 lineal feet of Terrell Creek, dedicated protected land for a Great Blue Heron rookery, and has nearly 1,500 acres under a Farm Conservation Plan.