DEQ has opened the public comment period on Zenith Energy’s application for a new air quality permit. This means we have until December 16th to organize masses of public comment and visible opposition to granting that permit.
Those of you who have been following this process know the sad, outrageous story: Zenith came to Portland and in 2018 started bringing crude oil in by rail and shipping it out by tanker. Zenith used a grandfathered construction permit to increase rail processing capacity from 12 cars at a time to 44 cars. The community rose up in alarm and frustration at this violation of the City’s no new fossil fuel infrastructure policy. We started XR PDX by building a garden on the railyard at Zenith.
More recently, in order to get a new air quality permit, Zenith had to get the local jurisdiction to check a box saying that Zenith’s use of city of Portland land was compatible with Portland’s comprehensive plan. In August 2021, the City took the position that their operation was NOT compatible. Zenith sued the City and the case moved through the Land Use Board of Appeals and the Court of Appeals. The decisions all said the City had the right to deny the LUCS, but that the City needed to provide more detailed findings. The case was pending before the Oregon Supreme Court when the City changed its mind. In October 2022, after back room deals and unreported lobbying of City Commissioners, the City reversed itself and announced that if Zenith promised to transition to renewables within five years, they could have the Land Use Compatibility statement (LUCS) they needed. City staffers helped write the Zenith LUCS application.
DEQ, knowing this is a highly controversial issue, sat on the Zenith air quality permit until last week. Now is our time to exert maximum pressure. The Rumble on the River team, which started the Rumble community forums two years ago to educate the public about Zenith and the CEI hub, is working together on three events.
1. On Monday October 28th from 6 to 8 pm on zoom, DEQ is doing a Q and A session. DEQ wants to answer questions that are not on the DEQ Frequently Asked Questions page. Come to the session and ask a question. Lots of organizations are working together to coordinate questions. For more information about asking questions, email us at info@xrpdx.org .
2. On Tuesday November 19th from 7 to 9 pm, DEQ will take public testimony about the permit at the University of Portland, Buckley Center Auditorium, 5000 N Willamette Blvd. Online testimony will also be taken, but people who are there in person will be prioritized.
We are organizing a rally on the campus at 6 pm, as well as helping people with testimony before the rally. The rally will include, visuals, music, speeches and food. More info will be coming out soon. For now, save the date for the 19th.
3. On Wednesday December 4th, DEQ will take public testimony about the permit on zoom. We will get the link out closer to the time.
