by Kate Murphy, Senior Community Organizer
Are you ready for some good news? On March 19, in an overwhelming 11–1 vote, the Portland City Council passed a resolution to investigate Zenith Energy! After years of community members asking elected officials to hold Zenith accountable, Portland City Councilmembers are stepping up. This is what community engagement looks like—and it works!
The resolution directs the City to:
- Investigate potential violations of the agreement allowing Zenith to use City property under Front Avenue and, if warranted, cancel the agreement;
- Investigate City staff’s handling of Zenith’s recent application for a Land Use Compatibility Statement;
- Evaluate Zenith’s compliance with land use laws;
- Pause all administrative actions related to Zenith during these investigations.
How To Thank Our Portland City Councilors
Quote from Councilmember Green:
“To restore the public trust, we must investigate this franchise agreement…failure to do so will send a signal to the community that the City is unwilling or incapable of exercising its due regulatory authority vested in its charter and that any company seeking to do business with the privilege of the franchise is beyond account.”
Quote from Councilmember Morillo:
“I just want to take time to thank all the advocates who have worked on this issue for so many years….The education that you’ve done for both your community and the way you’ve empowered your neighbors to act, the way you’ve armed us as your representatives with information so that we can serve you better, is exactly how our government is supposed to work.”
This progress is the result of community engagement and determination to hold Zenith accountable for years of violations and misleading regulators and the public. Thank you all so much for continuing to show up to protect what you love.
If you missed the meeting, you can view the recording here (the Zenith topic is at approximately 2:46:45). We are grateful to have a City Council that will take tangible steps to stand up against dangerous industry and fight to protect public health and safety.
Call or Email your City Council Members Below and Thank Them for Supporting the Resolution to Push for Transparency and Investigate Zenith!
CITY COUNCIL CONTACT INFORMATION
District numbers are currently just one number per district
District 1 Councilors: 503-823-4350
Candace Avalos: councilor.avalos@portlandoregon.gov
Jamie Dunphy: councilor.dunphy@portlandoregon.gov
Loretta Smith: councilor.smith@portlandoregon.gov
District 2 Councilors: 503-823-4354
Elana Pirtle-Guiney: councilor.pirtle-guiney@portlandoregon.gov
Sameer Kanal: councilor.kanal@portlandoregon.gov
Dan Ryan: councilor.ryan@portlandoregon.gov
District 3 Councilors: 503-823-4360
Angelita Morillo: councilor.morillo@portlandoregon.gov
Tiffany Koyama Lane: councilor.koyamalane@portlandoregon.gov
District 4 Councilors: 503-823-4359
Mitch Green: councilor.green@portlandoregon.gov
Olivia Clark: councilor.clark@portlandoregon.gov
Eric Zimmerman: councilor.zimmerman@portlandoregon.gov
COMING SOON!
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is currently in the process of preparing a draft air permit for Zenith. We will have several opportunities for public engagement when that process starts. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Stop Zenith Oil-By-Rail
For years, Zenith Energy has put our communities and our environment at risk. Now Zenith has a dangerous plan to expand its operations in Portland, increasing the threat of harm.