CedarAction has released this video to expose the grave dangers that the Zenith Energy facility in NW Portland poses to our community. After viewing video, contact Portland City Council and Governor Kate Brown at the phone numbers listed below. Use the talking points listed below the phone numbers.
Contact City Council
Mayor Ted Wheeler
503-823-4120
mayorwheeler@portlandoregon.gov
Commissioner Dan Ryan
503-823-3589
commissionerryanoffice@portlandoregon.gov
Commissioner Joann Hardesty
503-823-4151
Commissioner Mingus Mapps
503-823-4682
mappsoffice@portlandoregon.gov
Commissioner Carmen Rubio
503-823-3008
Contact Governor Brown
Governor Kate Brown
503-378-4582
Reasons to say NO to Zenith Energy because:
Dangerous oil trains are running through our neighborhoods carrying large amounts of flammable or poisonous oil from the tar sands of Canada and the Bakken fields of North Dakota.
Five years ago, an oil train derailed and burst into flames in Mosier Oregon. Fortunately, no one was hurt. We might not be so fortunate next time.
Tar Sands oil is one of the most destructive and least efficient fossil fuel extraction process on the planet, with about 70% more carbon emitted per unit of energy.
The gallons of oil Zenith brought through Portland was eleven times higher in 2019 than it was in 2018 and increased again in 2020.
At Zenith’s NW Portland operations, oil is stored and loaded onto ocean-going ships that travel down the Willamette and Columbia Rivers endangering our waterways.
Diesel exhaust from these oil trains contain more than 40 hazardous pollutants that cause extreme air particulate and noxious pollution as they are openly vented. They pose a health threat to the communities along the tracks.
Zenith expanded their crude oil terminal in Northwest Portland without first getting the necessary permits to operate. The City has denied their LUCS and DEQ has denied their Air Quality Permit but they continue to operate.
Adding to the peril, Zenith Energy’s terminal is in the North Portland Industrial area, a region at high risk of liquefaction in the event of an earthquake. The threat of irreparable damage and pollution would occur in the event of an earthquake.