Blog

EPA Issues Permits

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“It’s past time for the Army Corps to reduce illegal pollution from dams.” In December 2021, Columbia Riverkeeper sued the Army Corps for illegally discharging pollution from these dams without Clean Water Act permits.  Read more

Frequently Asked Questions about NEXT

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The refinery would be one of the largest producers of non-conventional diesel on the West Coast. NEXT could make diesel from things like seed oils, animal fats, fish waste, or waste cooking oil, rather than petroleum crude oil.  Read more

Loophole City, Oregon

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The City of Portland’s decision to let Zenith Energy extend its oil-by-rail operations in Portland is facing widespread condemnation from community members, environmental organizations, and environmental justice advocates.  Read more

Big Win for Farmers and Clean Water

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Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) overturned Columbia County’s approval of a 400-car rail yard that would have served an unconventional diesel refinery along the lower Columbia. Read more

Breaking Down Forever Chemicals

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Columbia Riverkeeper hosted “Breaking Down Forever Chemicals,” a webinar with Dr. Alissa Cordner and Megan Liu. They shared research on forever chemicals and helped us to understand the sources and impacts and what we can do about it. Read more

NEXT’s application materials were riddled with inconsistencies

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On September 6, 2022, the Oregon ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) denied NEXT Renewables LLC’s (NEXT) application for a Clean Water Act section 401 water quality permit. NEXT sought the permit as part of a plan to build a so-called “renewable” diesel refinery near Clatskanie, OR.  Read more

Tank Leaks Show Additional Resources Needed at Hanford

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Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Washington Department of Ecology announced an agreement, which begins to address two of Hanford’s leaking tanks, B-109 and T-111. The agreement made headlines, but does it make real progress? Read more