Climate Victory: Portland Denies Zenith’s Oil-by-Rail Terminal

“We applaud the City for standing up to Big Oil and putting the health and safety of our communities first." -Lauren Goldberg, Columbia Riverkeeper

BREAKING: Climate Victory! Portland Denies Zenith’s Oil-by-Rail Terminal!

Zenith, Rick Rappaport, 2021
Photo by Rick Rappaport

Amazing news! Thanks to years of grassroots organizing and legal advocacy, the City of Portland just denied a key permit for Zenith Energy’s oil-by-rail operations in NW Portland. 

This is game-changing news for our climate and people threatened by oil-by-rail.

What happened?

To operate its existing crude oil-by-rail terminal, Zenith, located in NW Portland, needs a Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) from the City of Portland. Today, the City denied the LUCS. Zenith cannot obtain the air pollution permit it needs from the Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality to continue operating without the LUCS. 

The City’s decision is consistent with years of policy commitments to reduce carbon emissions, address the climate emergency, and oppose oil trains. Check out our press release (below) to read more about the City’s decision.

Why is this a big deal?

In recent years, Zenith engaged in a significant intensification of its existing terminal operations, including the storage and transfer of crude oil—even though the company assured regulators that wasn’t the plan. By denying the LUCS, the City exercised its authority over Zenith to protect residents and the climate. 

How did we win?

This major victory is the result of years of community activism, legal strategy, and the collaboration of many people working together to protect what we love. Here’s a snapshot of what it took:

  • 46 neighborhood organizations signed and submitted a letter demanding the LUCS be denied; 
  • 20 Oregon state legislators sent a letter to Commissioner Dan Ryan asking for a denial of the LUCS; 
  • The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners issued a statement opposing Zenith’s LUCS application; 
  • 17 environmental and community advocacy organizations sent a letter in opposition to granting the LUCS; and
  • Thousands of residents called or emailed city officials. 

We partnered with Willamette Riverkeeper to sue Zenith for violating the Clean Water Act, a lawsuit we recently settled on favorable terms. Collectively, all of this pressure created space for the City to do the right thing.

What happens next?

Zenith might sue the City. But the City is in a strong position to defend its decision denying the LUCS.

JOIN US IN THANKING THE CITY

We are honored to fight for our climate and clean water alongside you. There are so many folks who have contributed to this victory, and the commitment and dedication I’ve witnessed is humbling. A special thank you to our incredible staff attorney, Erin Saylor; community organizer, Kate Murphy; and conservation director, Dan Serres; who have worked tirelessly with community members and allies to take on Zenith. 

Together, we are making a difference!

Thank Portland’s decision makers for saying NO to Zenith’s oil-by-rail terminal!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Portland Puts Its Community First and Refuses New Authorizations for Zenith Oil Storage Facility

Aug. 27, 2021 (Portland, OR) The City of Portland has denied a Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS), declaring that Zenith’s oil-by-rail storage and transfer facility in NW Portland is inconsistent with the City’s land use rules. This decision is consistent with years of policy commitments to reduce carbon emissions, address the climate emergency, and oppose oil trains. In January, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) required Zenith to seek authorization from the City as part of its Title V air permit renewal. At the time, DEQ asserted that Zenith had “engaged in a significant intensification of the permitted terminal operations, including the storage and transfer of crude oil” and massively increased its throughput of oil through the facility even though the company assured regulators there would be no increase in throughput. The LUCS process gave the City the opportunity to exercise authority over Zenith to protect residents and the climate, and the City chose to put its community first.

Lauren Goldberg, Legal and Program Director with Columbia Riverkeeper said: 

“We applaud the City for standing up to Big Oil and putting the health and safety of our communities first. The City’s choice was simple: take action on the climate crisis and protect public safety or cave to the oil industry. The city made the right choice.”  

Oregon State Representative Khanh Pham (HD 46) said:

“The City of Portland did the right thing and denied Zenith Energy’s application to traffic in dangerous fossil fuels through our neighborhoods. Credit goes to the hard work of advocates and community members who would not give up on Portland’s commitment to climate justice. The ruling on Zenith Energy is not only a right step for Portland’s climate commitments. It also represents an example of bold action that other cities and counties must take as the climate crisis accelerates.“

By denying the LUCS, the City concluded that Zenith’s oil-by-rail operations are inconsistent with the land use goals and policies set forth in its 2035 Comprehensive Plan, which is replete with policies requiring city officials to consider issues such as the off-site impacts of Zenith’s oil trains (including the impacts to low-income and BIPOC communities), seismic safety, and risk reduction. The City’s decision comes just weeks after the release of a new draft study highlighting the significant risks associated with storing large quantities of fossil fuels in Portland’s Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub. The study noted that tanks in the CEI Hub that were constructed before 1990 are likely to spill 50-100% of their contents during a major seismic event—all of Zenith’s tanks fall into this category. 

Prior to the City’s decision, Portland residents, community organizations, and elected officials spoke emphatically and in large numbers against approving the LUCS, including:

  • 46 neighborhood organizations signed and submitted a letter demanding the LUCS be denied; 
  • 20 Oregon state legislators sent a letter to Commissioner Dan Ryan asking for a denial of the LUCS; 
  • The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners issued a statement opposing Zenith’s LUCS application; 
  • 17 environmental and community advocacy organizations sent a letter in opposition to granting the LUCS; and
  • Thousands of residents called or emailed city officials. 

Nick Caleb, Climate and Energy Attorney with Breach Collective said: 

“The City of Portland made the correct decision in declaring Zenith’s operations incompatible with our comprehensive plan and land use laws. We need to be phasing out the fossil fuel economy as fast as possible while we promote renewable energy alternatives. Protecting the community and climate requires courageous decisions like the one our city just made.”

Dineen O’Rourke, Campaign Manager with 350PDX said:

“For over three years, thousands of community members have been fighting Zenith Energy’s crude oil facility everywhere from the streets, the river and train tracks, to the courtrooms and City Hall. This announcement is yet another example of how when people come together, we can stop the fossil fuel industry from continuing to destroy our climate, our communities, and our shared future. Grassroots organizing works. The City of Portland made the right decision in denying the LUCS -- a decision based on science, health and safety, and justice. We must be focusing all of our efforts on 100% clean renewable energy for all, never dirty and polluting fossil fuels.”

Debra Higbee Sudyka, Chair, Conservation Committee, Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club said:

“The Sierra Club is thrilled that Portland has decided to follow its policies and protect its people and the environment. We are grateful to all of the many organizations and people who have united to stop this climate wrecking and dangerous project.” 

Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director, Audubon Society of Portland said:

“This is great news for the community and the environment. The City stood up against big oil and demonstrated its commitment to advancing a vision of  the river that is healthy, climate resilient and equitable. The Community has spent decades working to  restore the river, the decision today is a decision to move forward on this journey rather than backwards. Thank you to all the groups and people who fought this process.”

Noelle Studer-Spevak, Board Member, Families for Climate said:

“We are incredibly relieved. Of all the hard current events to explain to children, this is some positive news that will let them know grown-ups are looking out for their safety. Tonight at dinner I can say, ‘Remember those postcards you colored and sent to City Hall and the Zenith banner you helped paint for the family bike ride last week? It worked!’ When people of all ages speak up and organize together with all their might, eventually good things can happen.”

Travis Williams, Executive Director and Riverkeeper at Willamette Riverkeeper, said:

“We are proud that the City of Portland has turned the table on Big Oil to protect the Willamette River, its wildlife, and our river communities. We look forward to the City steering the river towards meeting and exceeding Greenway, climate, and clean energy goals.” 

Cathryn Chudy, Vancouver climate activist with Sierra Club’s SW WA Beyond Fossil Fuels Task Force said:

“Vancouver  has repeatedly said no to dangerous oil trains to protect the health and safety of our community, so it is happy news that Portland has made this wise decision, extending protection to all of us in rail communities that are endangered by oil trains passing through on their way to Zenith.  Thank you to all who joined in getting us to this outcome.”

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