[Vision2020] Mega-Load Update

Mon Nov 8 13:42:29 PST 2010

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 12
>> www.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?
>>
>> =======================================================
>>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
>>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>>                http://www.fsr.net
>>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>> =======================================================
>>
>>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>               http://www.fsr.net
>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================

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