Approving the rail project is good for the economy 

The proposed Phillips 66 rail extension project will be built entirely on their property for the flexibility to seek other affordable sources instead of only being dependent on expensive oil via pipeline. 

Let’s be frank, we all know that the main pipeline feeding the refinery is shut down. The fact that the cost of crude is down is not relevant when it is not available. Local crude production has been in decline for years, and now a large part of the supply has been shut off.

Currently, without the rail extension, the refinery is running at half capacity. If there is less to refine, Phillips 66 needs fewer employees to handle the smaller workload. Not every job might be at stake but it is still crucial to protect every job the refinery provides.

Let’s not be hypocritical and prevent something that has been happening for the past 15 years; two to three tanker trains already go through SLO County per week, though we get nothing from it now. The proposed three to five will actually stop at the refinery and boost our local economy.

Please allow Phillips 66 to continue to provide us with the energy we need.

-- Mike Smith - Nipomo