I am writing in response to the Robin Moore’s Guest Opinion on Nov. 26: “Please don’t make Hoquiam an oil town.”

I take issue with the blanket statement of the article: “The proposed crude oil project will adversely impact the woods and the waters. Long-term employment will be sacrificed.”

Each day 54 million tons of commodities worth $48 billion are on the move in the United States by various modes of conveyance. Crude oil is one of those commodities and by railcar is four times less likely to have an accident then by tanker trucks that roll through Grays Harbor every day. One can propose a catastrophic scenario for just about anything. However, risks can be mitigated to the point of minimizing any potential harm to the environment. Increasing the ability of Grays Harbor to export crude oil and/or coal would create jobs that will bring more money into the community without doing anything to harm our environment. With an improved economy businesses could employ more people, young people could stay here and professionals would come here. This is opposed to the slow exit we are seeing right now

As far as “the people of Montana, Idaho …” I travel back and forth to Wyoming where I work part-time in mental health. I see the devastation in human terms of the job cuts brought on by Washington’s move away from coal generated electricity. Seventy-five Native Americans from the Crow agency have been laid off. I see veterans from Montana, Wyoming and other states who have lost their jobs and now have problems with alcohol, family relations and resurgent PTSD. School budgets and programs have been cut and teachers are facing layoffs.

So, to oppose economic expansion in the Harbor to help other people is misguided and not a valid point. On the other hand, we should take advantage of the 10-year window available to us in China where they will use fossil fuels until the tens of nuclear reactors they are currently building come online.

I would be happy to discuss any points or answer any questions before any group or class raised by my expressed opinions.

Tom Greisamer

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