Deliberations could get underway tomorrow on the long simmering controversy over efforts to expand a Central Coast oil refinery to handle trainloads of crude oil for processing.
Phillips 66 wants to add railroad sidings, and other facilities to its Nipomo plant to handle up to three large trainloads a week loaded with crude oil.
The proposal has drawn strong opposition from neighbors, who are concerned about safety issues, as well as pollution from the train trips. Communities along rail lines in Northern and Southern California are also opposed, contending the trains passing through their neighborhoods would be like ticking bombs.
Hundreds of people have testified at a multiple day long San Luis Obispo Counties Planning Commission hearing. It’s believed the hearing will wrap up today, leading to the commission’s deliberations.