[Vision2020] Mega-Load Update

Reggie Holmquist reggieholmquist at u.boisestate.edu
Mon Nov 8 14:13:08 PST 2010 

The Interstate Highway System was not built for reasons of commerce.  It was
built for reasons of National Defense, under the Eisenhower administration.

I think that, at the very least, this company should be paying more per load
to the State of Idaho.  Much like how, in Pullman, anti-Walmart folks were
able to get Walmart to (just one example) pay to have a streetlight put in
on the main road next to the store (by applying pressure through their
anti-Walmart activism).  The "Stop the Shipments" folks happen to be an
integral part of that effort, and I approve.

-Reggie

On Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 1:42 PM, Wayne Price <bear at moscow.com> wrote:

> And while we're on the subject, I read the editorial in todays DNews, and
> wonder just what the purpose was of the title, "Idaho, IDT didn't get the
> Message".  Based on the election results, Idaho and IDT DID get the
> message.
> The message that the voters sent to IDT, and IDT's  ultimate "Boss", the
> Governor, is that they are happy with the operations of state government,
> including the IDT. If they weren't, then the incumbent government, including
> the Governor, would have been show the door, and a new government would be
> taking its place in January. It wasn't and the people of the state of Idaho
> have spoken.
>
> Now, what I am wondering is, should it be the function of the IDT to pick
> and choose which loads will or will not be hauled on Idaho roads depending
> on who is shipping them, or is it IDT's responsibility to ensure that loads,
> even mega-loads, are shipped safely?  The roads are,  and have been built
> for commerce. Some of that commerce is over length, over wide and over long.
> There is a process to ensure that these particular loads are hauled safely,
> the only mandate that IDT has. Do we really want IDT deciding who are good
> shippers and who are bad shippers depending on what the company produces?
> For instance, IF they were loads to build a new hospital in Alberta, same
> length, width and weight as the Exxon-Mobil loads, should that have any
> bearing on IDT's decision?  What I see are people that are unhappy because
> of the dirty three letter word, "OIL" is involved. Those who don't want the
> loads shipped safely, they flat want them stopped!  Well, what about
> stopping the actual shipment of oil on the roadway?  Should the end use of
> the item being shipped have any bearing on IDT's decisions? For instance,
> oil processing equipment is bad, but oil itself is good?
>
> Where were the "Stop the shipments" folks back in October when a real spill
> of some 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel was actually spilt along Highway 12?
> The load that DID spill oil  was not even required to have any special
> considerations or permits. Why no uproar  about that?  From what I
> understand about the so called "mega-loads" is that they are some of the
> safest and most well documented and observed loads that have ever been
> shipped in Idaho commerce exclusive of the atomic loads moving into INEL!
>  And the permits are issued per load, not in batches of 200+. Should there
> be a formal hearing or adjudication for every dangerous /hazardous load that
> is put on Idaho's roads? Are people willing to pay for the extra cost that
> it would put on both the state agencies and the haulers, which would
> eventually be passed to the taxpayers and end users of the products?
>
> And as far as Highway 12 being turned into a "mega-load" highway, it
> already is.  It is part of the US highway system that was created for
> commerce with tax dollars.  It's subsequent designation as a "scenic
> highway" in no way diminishes it's  primary purpose, commerce. Does the
> designation as a "scenic highway"  somehow take away the purpose for which
> it was built in the first place? If it does, I would caution  state
> authorities across the nation to be very careful before they allow any other
> highway to be so designated and loose its original designation and purpose,
> a highway built for commerce.
>
>
> Wayne M. Price
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Nov 8, 2010, at 1:06 PM, Sam Scripter wrote:
>
>  I guess I am "dense"
>
> What does
>
>         ". . .  a full contested case hearing  . . ."
>
> accomplish except to delay the inevitable,
> which so many in power positions seem
> hell-bent to do?
>
> Sam I am in Moscow . . .
>
> nickgier at roadrunner.com wrote:
>
> >From the brave folks at FightingGoliath.org.  By the way these people received a message from an Israeli who is fighting the government on the very spot where David is supposed to have killed Goliath with his trusty sling shot.  He wishes us well.
>
> Good morning,
>
> We have two developments to report:
>
> 1. There are a lot of vehicles and a lot of activity at the port this morning.
>
> 2. Our Advocates for the West lawyers have spoken twice with an ITD lawyer, who assures that there "will be no surprises" and "ITD plans to hold a full contested case hearing" to which we "are a party."
>
>
> Our assumptions:
>
> Our lawyers can only assume that ITD's lawyer, functioning under ethical standards, is telling the truth.
>
> Both the information regarding increased activity at the port around the ConocoPhillips' shipments and the other reliable information we've received are also true.
>
>
> Our guesses:
>
> Something not fully open to us is going on between ConocoPhillips and ITD. CP, for example, could be posturing.  Perhaps we could guess that some sort of brinksmanship match is being played.  Toward what outcome, we aren't sure.
>
>
> Our plans:
>
> Our lawyers are ready to very quickly go into court today, tomorrow, whenever needed, to force ITD to hold a hearing prior to any movement of shipments.
>
> At the same time, our monitoring plan is in place. If you're on our team list, we will call you, but we think we won't be monitoring tonight or tomorrow night.
>
>
> We will keep you updated.
>
> Borg
>
> The Rural People of Highway 12www.FightingGoliath.org
>
> THE MEGA-COUNT & the mega-question:
> 4 = ConocoPhillips
> 207 = Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil
> 63 = Harvest Energy/Operations
> 274 = CURRENT POTENTIAL TOTAL
> How many more will approach ITD & MDT by spring?
>
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