By Jim Redden
The Portland City Council has finally begun to address the threats posed by the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub, the six-mile stretch of fuel storage and transmission pipes along the Willamette River in industrial Northwest Portland.
Around 90% of all liquid fuel used in Oregon is stored there. It sits on soils with a high risk of liquefaction during a major earthquake, such as the anticipated Cascadia Subduction Zone event, which would be environmentally catastrophic to the river, nearby Forest Park, and residential areas such as Linnton.
The council took public testimony from around 60 people on two ordinances intended to improve safety and reduce storage capacity at the CEI Hub, as it is also known, on Thursday, Sept. 24.
One ordinance would update the Comprehensive Plan and the other would adopt new Bulk Fuel Terminal Capacity Reduction Regulations. A major goal is to reduce fuel storage by 20% by the 2035-2036 fiscal year.
They are largely supported by community and environmental groups, although some believe the city should be moving faster in reducing storage capacity.
Among those testifying in person and through writing were members of neighborhood associations and such environmental organizations as Columbia Riverkeeper, the Sierra Club of Oregon, and Extinction Rebellion PDX.
Owners and operators of the facilities urged caution, warning that moving too fast and too far risks raising the cost of fuel, which is already spiking because of the war with Iran.
Testifying in person and through writing were representatives of Chevron, Kinder Morgan, BP, Phillips 66, and Zenith Energy, alongside coalitions like the Western States Petroleum Association and local businesses.
Complicating the issue is that the State of Oregon also regulates the CEI Hub, prompting District 2 Councilor Day Ryan to warn, “The Oregon Legislature won’t allow us to cause a fuel crisis.”
The hearings ended without the council taking action. The ordinances are scheduled to be considered again at 2 pm on Thursday, Oct. 1. Eleven amendments have been introduced.
Additional written testimony will be accepted until noon on Oct. 1.
The day before those hearings, the council cleared the way for Zenith Energy to sell its 39-acre terminal in the CEI Hub to the Florida-based private equity company ISQ Springer Holdings. By a 7-6 vote, the council approved the transfer of the franchise agreement between the city and Zenith to ISQ.
The agreement authorizes the fuel pipe to the terminal under Southwest Front Avenue. All six progressive council members voted against the transfer, and Mayor Keith Wilson sided with the six moderates and cast the deciding yes vote.
Additional information can be found about Portland’s CEI Hub Policy Project at portland.gov/bps/planning/cei-hub.