Portland is poised to make history by passing binding land use rules that ban new fossil fuel infrastructure. Final vote scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 8 2016, is postponed and will be rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2016, vote at 10:45 am, press event at 11:15 am.
On Wednesday, November 16, the Portland City Council took a big step towards passing new binding land use rules that will implement the City’s ban on new fossil fuel infrastructure. The City Council heard from hundreds of Portland residents who packed two hearings in a one-week span, urging the Council to adopt key amendments to the City’s fossil fuel zoning code ordinance. The amendments, which passed 3-0, prohibit expansion at existing fossil fuel terminals and bar fossil fuel companies from building new major terminals to handle oil, coal, and natural gas in the City of Portland.
The City heard testimony from students who eloquently explained the imminent importance of Portland’s action to protect a stable climate for future generations and set an example for other cities to follow. Portland also got a friendly assist from Mosier Mayor Arlene Burns, who attended to speak about the importance of protecting small communities from dangerous oil trains, and protecting all people from the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
Portland’s fossil fuel zoning code will receive a final vote from the City Council rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec 14, 2016, vote at 10:45 am, press event at 11:15 am Thursday, December 8, 2016, at 2:00 pm* (postponed to due weather) at Portland City Hall, 1221 SW Fourth Street, Portland, OR. We hope to have one last crowd in red to support this historic vote.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland Poised to Make History with New Protections from Fossil Fuels
November 16, 2016 (Portland, OR) — After the second of two public hearings, Portland City Council is poised to set a historic national precedent by halting the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure and prohibiting new fossil fuel terminals as well as expansions of existing facilities within Portland. At Wednesday’s hearing, Council members voted 3-0 on amendments that further restrict fossil fuel infrastructure. While the final vote is scheduled for December 8, the Council made its intentions clear today: the fossil fuel industry will not grow in the City of Portland. The vote was met with a standing ovation from enthusiastic community members who were instrumental in shaping this proposal over the last year.
Mayor Charlie Hales addressed the crowd gathered, many of whom had waited hours to speak. He said, “At a time when we’re worried about democracy, it’s still alive here in Portland. U.S. cities are still able to lead on climate and clean energy: we will continue to accelerate this work even if we don’t have a responsible partner at the federal level.”
Portland City Council’s new zoning amendments will implement its Fossil Fuel Policy Resolution #37168. The resolution, passed in November 2015, stated that the City would “actively oppose expansion of infrastructure whose primary purpose is transporting or storing fossil fuels in or through Portland or adjacent waterways.”
Dan Serres, Conservation Director of Columbia Riverkeeper stated, “Portland City Council is shining a light towards a cleaner path. If approved on the 8th, their action will prevent more oil train accidents and protect smaller communities like Mosier, Oregon, where an oil train derailed and burned spectacularly in June. This is a sensible policy that deserves a unanimous vote of support on December 8th.”
Mia Reback, Lead Organizer for 350 PDX stated, “Portland is taking bold steps to protect our city from the immediate risks of fossil fuels while sending a powerful message to other cities across the nation and the world that the grassroots movement will not let national politics deter cities from taking the lead on climate action. Change has always come from the bottom up, from people taking to the streets and then showing up to influence better policy. City by city we can, and will, ensure the steps are taken to rapidly transition away from fossil fuels, protecting the very essence of life on planet earth.”
Micah Meskel, Conservation Field Coordinator at Audubon Society of Portland said, “Today we saw the power of the grassroots prevail, as Council listened to the community and took steps to further strengthen their proposal. Next month’s vote will solidify a historic action by the City and at the same time set a bright example of how the grassroots can make a difference.”
Steve McCoy, attorney for Friends of the Gorge said, “Today, Mayor Hales and Commissioners Fritz and Novick took a bold step to protect the people and the resources of Portland and the Columbia River Gorge from more trains carrying dangerous fossil fuels. We applaud them for their courage and foresight and look forward to the final decision on December 8th.”
Regna Merritt, Healthy Climate Program Director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility stated, “Low-income populations and communities of color experience the worst impacts of fossil fuels and climate disruption. We are on the verge of a huge victory for the health and safety of our community.”
The City’s intent is clear—to use the City’s policy to hasten a transition away from dirty, dangerous fossil fuels. On November 10th at Portland’s City Council hearing, hundreds attended and urged bold action on the part of the Mayor and Commissioners. Mosier Mayor Arlene Burns, tribal representatives, and others most at risk from dangerous oil trains testified in support of proposed code amendments. Impressive testimony given by young students opened and closed the public comment period. Council members listened carefully and responded with clear improvements to the proposed zoning amendments.
As amended today and if approved on December 8th, Portland’s ordinance would:
- Prohibit expansion of existing bulk fossil fuel storage tanks
- Limit new tanks to a capacity of 2 million gallons or less
- Prevent aggregation of small terminals
- Prevent all new coal storage capacity (there are currently no coal export facilities in the City of Portland).
Notably, Portland’s Planning and Sustainability Commission and Portland’s City Council declined to exempt certain fossil fuel companies such as NW Natural, or weaken the ordinance at the request of oil terminal operator Kinder Morgan.
Portland’s fossil fuel policy is supported by 350PDX, Audubon Society of Portland, Center for Sustainable Economy, the Climate Action Coalition, Columbia Riverkeeper, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sierra Club, the Stand Up to Oil and Power Past Coal coalitions, and many others.
Pictures can be viewed at 350pdx.org: https://350pdx.org/portfolio-item/ffp-code-nov-10-rally-hearing/
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