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AIR DATE: Wednesday, November 30th 2011

POSTED BY: DAVE BLANCHARD

Download the mp3 for this show.

Every year, billions of gallons of oil are transported in Northwest waters, but the agencies regulating that trade have suffered budget cuts.

In fact, oil tanker traffic is on the increase. There are five times as many tankers traveling through Washington's Strait of Juan de Fuca on their way to Canadian ports as there were 10 years ago. Yet, the state recently cut nine percent of its oil spill regulation staff. EarthFix reporter Ashley Ahearn joins us to explain how Northwest oil spill programs are dealing with budget cuts, how prepared the area would be for a big oil spill, and the future of oil in the Northwest.

What questions do you have about oil regulation in the Northwest?

GUEST:

Ashley Ahearn: Earthfix reporter based in Seattle.

Tagged as: environment · oil · oil spill · resources

Photo credit: Royce Bair / Creative Commons