The first of three megaloads bound for Canada was delayed leaving the Port of Umatilla on Sunday night, as crews worked longer than expected to secure the enormous vessel onto trucks, according to industrial hauler Omega Morgan.

And while the shipment is now ready to move, spokeswoman Holly Zander said the decision was made on Monday to hold off again so workers could enjoy Thanksgiving weekend with their families.  Omega Morgan was already required to pull over for the holiday as part of its permit with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Instead, the transport is now scheduled to depart on Sunday, December 1, from the port industrial park.  It will begin traveling south on Highway 395 through Hermiston, before heading east on Interstate 84 into Pendleton.

From there, the megaload will continue south through the John Day Valley and east across state lines into southern Idaho.  Its final destination is Alberta, Canada, delivering equipment for refineries in the tar sands project.

Climate activists oppose providing a route on Oregon’s highways for the megaloads.  About 20 protesters arrived on Sunday and Monday nights, to rally against what they believe will only contribute to global warming.

Zander said the protests had nothing to do with delays, nor is Omega Morgan experiencing any other mechanical problems. Continue reading →

The start of a megaload shipment of oil refinery equipment through Eastern Oregon has been put off until Sunday, and objections have been raised in Eastern Oregon that the state didn’t do enough to notify tribal and local government officials.

The shipment has also drawn protests from environmentalists gathered Sunday and Monday at the Port of Umatilla.  They want to call attention to the global warming repercussions that could come from development of oil from the tar sands in western Canada.

The shipment weighing 901,000 pounds remained at the Port of Umatilla on Tuesday, two days after it was scheduled to move. Continue reading →