The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners is considering a resolution to ensure the county has funding to deliver essential health and emergency services following the release of hazardous materials from the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub (CEI) in industrial Northwest Portland.
The CEI Hub is a six-mile concentration of industrial facilities along the west bank of the Willamette River. It stores the majority of Oregon’s gasoline, diesel fuel, liquified natural gas, and other hazardous substances. The CEI Hub is situated on unstable soil and is expected to be heavily damaged in the event of a major earthquake or other disaster.
A resolution introduced by Multnomah County Commissioners Meghan Moyer (Dist. 1) and Shannon Singleton (Dist. 2) directs county departments to determine the cost associated with Multnomah County’s response to a spill or release at the CEI Hub and recommend the amount and type of financial assurances that CEI Hub operators should be required to provide.
Among other things, it directs the County to explore requirements for CEI Hub owners and operators to maintain insurance, bond, or trust to cover expenses and damages. Unlike liability insurance, which requires litigation and proof of fault, the financial assurances also called risk bonds, guarantee Multnomah County immediate access to the resources required to deliver emergency response and health services.
This work, in collaboration with subject-matter experts and community members, will inform a later ordinance the Board of Commissioners will vote on.
Moyer and Singleton briefed the Board of their resolution on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The Board is scheduled to take public testimony and vote on Feb. 19.
“In the event of a major earthquake impacting the CEI Hub, Multnomah County would face an estimated health and emergency services response costing millions in the first year alone. This resolution is a crucial first step in securing the necessary resources to effectively serve the public during such a crisis,” Moyer said before the briefing.
“Many Black and brown communities are left without support from natural disasters, and often live near industrial areas where air and water qualities are lower. Climate justice is critical and I am proud to work with Commissioner Moyer and our state legislators on these protections and incorporating the needs of the County into the state legislation,” Singleton said.
The 2026 Oregon Legislature is considering related legislation. House Bill 4100 makes the owners of bulk oils and liquid fuels terminal show they can cover the costs of oil or fuel spills. It requires them to update a certificate of financial responsibility from the Department of Environmental Quality. HB 4100 also pre-empts local governments from requiring financial assurance that exceeds or is in addition to the requirements of the bill.
“I have been in communication with state and city officials regarding our plan to protect Multnomah County residents. I want to make clear that Multnomah County’s plan works in parallel with the responsibilities of the state and city. Multnomah County needs to have funds immediately available to provide needed services during a crisis, and we are making sure we can do exactly that. I’m excited to continue to collaborate with our governing partners as we fulfill our respective responsibilities to the residents of Portland and Multnomah County,” Moyer said.
This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is available.
Additional information can be found here.