This month, Advocacy Action is requesting members of St. Michael’s to email the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) asking them to deny Zenith Energy’s air-quality permit. Emails should be sent here by June 15: NWRAQPermits@deq.oregon.gov.

Zenith Energy operates an oil-processing and storage facility on the banks of the Willamette River in NW Portland. It is part of the Critical Energy Infrastructure (or CEI) hub. Community groups and activists believe Zenith poses a danger to the Portland community because it is in a liquefaction zone, a place where an earthquake could cause the soil to liquefy and potentially create a devastating oil spill and fire.

Last year, St. Michael’s, along with 60+ neighborhood associations and community groups, signed on to an open letter raising concerns about the CEI hub, Zenith in particular, and demanding action to protect the community.

The DEQ is now in the process of deciding whether to grant an air-quality permit for Zenith. In May, they held two public hearings. Those who testified were overwhelmingly opposed to permitting emissions from Zenith. The public comment period is open until 5:00 pm on Sunday, June 15. Everyone can submit a public comment by emailing the above address. The City government made an administrative decision to grant Zenith a Land Use Compatibility Statement without involving the newly elected decision makers. This decision is being challenged in court.