By Roy L Hales

Waterside Energy’s proposal to build the Columbia River’s first oil refinery (Riverside Refining LLC), as well as a propane export terminal (Washington Energy Storage & Transfer LLC, also known as “WEST”), has come to an abrupt end. Port commissioners say the proponent failed to provide necessary information.  Opponents of the projects are hailing the Port Commission’s vote as the latest in a string of defeats for fossil fuel projects on the Columbia River. After two years of negotiations, the Port of Longview terminated negotiations for oil & propane facilities.