Keyera Energy becomes first industrial tenant at Terminal 5

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Port of Vancouver commissioners today unanimously authorized a ground lease with Keyera Energy, allowing the company to relocate its Vancouver Terminal to the port’s new Terminal 5.

The agreement makes Keyera the first industrial tenant at the port’s new Terminal 5 – formerly the site of Alcoa and Evergreen Aluminum. Keyera receives and distributes propane in the Vancouver area.

“We look forward to having Keyera as a tenant,” said Commission President Jerry Oliver. “The addition of their terminal operations to Terminal 5 is reason to celebrate, as it not only keeps jobs in our community, but it provides for the first industrial tenant at Terminal 5.”

Keyera’s need to relocate its Vancouver Terminal became necessary with the planning for the construction of the Washington Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) Vancouver Bypass rail project. Keyera’s current location is just north of Mill Plain Boulevard along the east side of the Vancouver Rail Yard.

“We are looking forward to this relationship,” said Todd Bryant of Keyera. “It’s been like climbing a mountain to get this relocation done, so we’re very excited to be a tenant of the port.”

The leasehold Keyera will occupy is a four acre parcel located north of the port’s Terminal 5 rail loop – now under construction. Propane will arrive to the terminal via rail, and will be distributed from the facility by truck. No pipeline will be involved in the Keyera operations.

“Keyera has been operating in Vancouver for a number of years adjacent to the Hough and Fruit Valley neighborhoods,” said Larry Paulson, executive director of the port. “Moving Keyera will actually move the facility further away from neighborhoods in West Vancouver and into a facility that’s not close to any homes – and is zoned for heavy industrial activities.”

Port commissioners approved a 20-year lease, which will commence on March 1, 2010, and includes an option to extend for 10 years. The port will earn nearly $3.4 million from the lease over the initial 20-year term.

“Keyera is a very good fit for this piece of heavy industrial property, located at Terminal 5,” said Curtis Shuck, the port’s director of economic development and facilities. “They will utilize the new rail line, the fit within the leasehold footprint and they allow a local company to continue to thrive in our community, and to keep their employees here.”

Commissioners also unanimously authorized port staff to move forward with an agreement with Northwest Pipeline that will allow for relocation of a natural gas pipeline. This relocation will move an underground pipeline from beneath the path of the port’s new Terminal 5 unit train facility, and continue to provide safe distribution of natural gas to Clark Public Utilities’ River Road Generating Plant.

In another action item, the commission gave unanimous approval to port staff to enter into an interlocal government agreement with the ports of Camas-Washougal and Ridgefield in order to cooperate on assistance from BergerABAM for updating a shoreline management program.

Finally, the commission voted unanimously to approve a new labor agreement with Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 11, which represents the port’s security force. The new four-year contract defines wages and aligns paid time off benefits consistently the port’s administrative staff paid time off program – which includes both vacation and sick time – for security officers.

Oliver, and Commissioner Nancy Baker, both took the opportunity to recognize the port’s security staff as being, “exceptional.”

The regular meeting will be archived online at www.cvtv.org, and on the port’s website – www.portvanusa.com – for future viewing. The meeting will also be replayed several times over the next two weeks on Comcast cable channels 21 and 23 in Clark County.

About the Port of Vancouver USA

The Port of Vancouver USA, created by Clark County taxpayers in 1912, is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast. Its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a dependable labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community.

The Port of Vancouver is in the midst of numerous projects and developments that will lead to vital job creation, economic stimulation and environmental preservation. By diversifying its cargo mix between bulk commodities, breakbulk and project cargos, the port is responsible for job generation and significant contributions to the tax base for not only its own community, but also the state of Washington. Current expansion of the port’s rail system and development of new port industrial and marine properties will bring new jobs – both short term and long term – and the preservation of wetlands, the creation of enhanced wildlife habitat, and make way for more green/sustainable business partners operating from the port. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.

– POV –