Photo by Paloma Ayala
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Audrey Leonard, Columbia Riverkeeper: 541-399-4775
Miles Johnson, Columbia Riverkeeper: 971-515-7996
Nonprofits Ask Gov. Kotek to Immediately Withdraw Support for Controversial Diesel Refinery
New info shows NEXT Renewable Fuels, Inc. is “void,” owes millions in debts and taxes
October 5, 2026 (Portland, Ore.) — Columbia Riverkeeper and the Northwest Environmental Defense Center (NEDC) sent a letter today asking Governor Tina Kotek to immediately withdraw her letter of support for a non-conventional diesel refinery proposed near Clatskanie, Oregon—as new information reveals a pattern of business and financial mismanagement by NEXT and its backers.
“Governor Kotek’s continued support for NEXT is shameful and baffling,” said Audrey Leonard, Columbia Riverkeeper Staff Attorney. “Governor Kotek should be protecting Oregonians from the likes of Chris Efird and NEXT, not writing them letters of support. These are clearly the wrong people—and this is the wrong place—to build a diesel refinery.”
According to research by the nonprofits that sent today’s letter, it appears that NEXT has lost some or all of its corporate status in Delaware, NEXT’s property near Clatskanie has fallen into foreclosure, and investors and a contractor are suing NEXT to recover significant unpaid debts.
NEXT appears to have lost, or be in the process of losing, its corporate status
Two Delaware businesses are associated with NEXT’s proposal to develop a non-conventional diesel refinery near Clatskanie: “NEXT Renewable Fuels, Inc.” and “NEXT Renewable Fuels Oregon LLC.” As a result of their failure to pay nearly half a million dollars in taxes, Delaware lists the status of these two corporate entities as “void” and “cease good standing,” respectively.
NEXT’s Port Westward property is in foreclosure
In 2020, NEXT purchased roughly 25 acres of land at Port Westward for $3.7 million where NEXT planned to build part of the refinery. This past June, NEXT received a notice of default and commercial foreclosure stating that NEXT owes $3.6 million for failing to pay principal, interest, and taxes assessed against the property. To help satisfy these debts, NEXT’s property is set to be sold at auction on November 20, 2026.
Litigation over unpaid debts
A group of NEXT’s investors sued NEXT in a Texas court this summer for nearly $1 million, seeking to recover un-repaid loans related to the refinery project. The case is scheduled for trial in 2027. Another new lawsuit, filed in September, alleges that NEXT failed to pay a contractor approximately $600,000 for services related to producing the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed refinery.
Similar failures to pay taxes and creditors occurred in 2016 at a failed biofuel facility in Odessa, Washington, that was backed by some of NEXT’s current and former principals, including Chris Efird.
“NEXT—to the extent the company even exists anymore—is either out of money, or it is ripping off its investors and creditors by refusing to pay overdue debts,” said Miles Johnson, Legal Director for Columbia Riverkeeper. “Govenor Kotek should withdraw her support for this project before things get even worse.”
Request to Oregon’s leaders and regulators
NEXT is currently seeking a federal permit for the refinery from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Governor Kotek’s letter of support dated December 30, 2025, urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue the permit. Today’s letter from the nonprofits asks Governor Kotek to contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and formally withdraw her support for NEXT.
Today’s letter also asks Secretary of State Tobias Read to begin proceedings to revoke NEXT Renewable Fuels, Inc.’s authority to do business in Oregon and investigate the corporate status of NEXT Renewable Fuels Oregon, LLC.
“Oregon’s leaders and regulators should begin protecting the public and our state’s natural resources from NEXT’s disreputable business practices,” said Jonah Sandford, NEDC’s Executive Director. “And when people encounter a corporation that’s authorized to do business in Oregon, they should feel confident that the business is real.”
Supporting Documents:
- October 5th Letter Requesting Gov. Kotek Withdraw Support for NEXT
- Evidence of Financial Mismanagement: NEXT Renewable Fuels
About Columbia Riverkeeper: Columbia Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization with over 25,000 members and supporters that works to protect the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. Learn more.