For seven years Portland community members have been trying to shut down Zenith Energy, a Houston-based oil company that sneaked into Portland in 2017. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality just opened the public comment period for Zenith’s draft Air Contaminant Discharge Permit, which is the last permit Zenith needs to expand its dangerous fossil fuel facility in Northwest Portland.
On this episode of Locus Focus, we talk with Kate Murphy, Senior Community Organizer with Columbia Riverkeeper, about DEQ's surprise move on November 14 to cancel the hearings this week and next month. It turns out in response to public comment, DEQ conducted an unannounced inspection of Zenith and discovered that what opponents have been saying about Zenith's violations, lies and deceptions is true. On November 14 DEQ released this statement:
"The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is pausing the air quality permitting process for Zenith Energy at its Portland terminal as of Thursday. DEQ needs to gather more information from Zenith about its operations to confirm Zenith’s application and draft permit are complete. DEQ is pausing the current air quality permitting process, and the public hearings currently scheduled for Nov. 19 and Dec. 4 are cancelled.
“We appreciate the community’s participation and questions during the public process,” said Christine Svetkovich, DEQ’s northwest region administrator. “Their questions and feedback led DEQ to pursue additional information from Zenith Energy. It will take some time for us to receive all the information and determine next steps.” DEQ conducted an unannounced inspection on Nov. 13 to gather more information about Zenith’s operations on adjacent properties. It is not yet clear if this will lead to a change in the draft air quality permit.
By Dec. 6, DEQ will set a date for a public information meeting to share more about its inspection, findings and next steps. For more information, visit ordeq.org/zenith and sign up for email and text updates through GovDelivery."
In response to this new development, instead of going to the hearing the community is coming together to celebrate on November 19.
“Zenith On The Ropes”
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19th @ the 350PDX Workspace
3639 N Mississippi Avenue. 6:00 pm. Music. Speakers. Pizza. People.
Learn about what this cancellation may mean for our region and Zenith.