The Port of Vancouver will continue to lease land to Vancouver Energy for its proposed oil terminal after the agreement was the subject of a passionate and sometimes contentious meeting Tuesday. After five hours of testimony and deliberation, the vote was 2-1.

The outcome pleased Vancouver Energy and its supporters, who say the project deserves to at least live to see the end of the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council’s long scrutiny. But it frustrated opponents who have spent, in some cases, years protesting the terminal.

Commissioner Eric LaBrant was the sole supporter of his motion to cancel the port’s lease with Vancouver Energy. Commissioners Brian Wolfe and Jerry Oliver voted no.

Port of Vancouver staff didn’t give the commission a recommendation on the lease, because it wasn’t brought up as an action item, but rather as new business on the agenda, said port spokeswoman Abbi Russell.

The vote came just before a March 31 deadline when either the port or Vancouver Energy could cancel the lease if they are dissatisfied with the terminal’s progress through the evaluation and permitting process. If neither party opts out, the lease automatically renews for three months.