On June 30 at 2 p.m., Portland City Council will hold a public hearing on an ordinance to re-adopt the remanded ordinance that restricts the uses of bulk fossil fuel terminals. These amendments will limit the size of new fossil fuel terminals and prohibit the expansion of fossil fuel storage tank capacity at existing fossil fuel terminals, with limited exceptions.
Fossil fuel terminals present public safety risks in cities and communities as well as environmental risks along rivers. These zoning code changes will limit future risk in the event of a catastrophe, such as an earthquake. While the code changes restrict the expansion of existing facilities along the Willamette River in North Portland, they allow these terminals to continue operating and companies to reinvest in safer facilities as Oregon transitions away from fossil fuels to more renewable energy sources.
This is not the first time City Council has considered and voted on these code amendments. In 2019, Council voted to adopt the ordinance, but it was appealed to the Land Use Board of Appeal (LUBA) by the Western States Petroleum Association, Portland Business Alliance, Oregon Business and Industry, and Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council. LUBA subsequently “remanded” (returned to custody) the case back to City Council for additional findings and policy interpretations.
Staff have completed their findings to address:
Now City Council will hear public testimony on an ordinance to re-adopt the remanded ordinance. Portlanders can testify to City Council in writing or in person.
Written testimony must be received by the time of the hearing (but ideally the day before) and must include name and address.
Testifying in the Map App is as easy as sending an email and easier than U.S. Mail.
Send mail to:
Council Clerk
Fossil Fuel Zoning Testimony
1221 SW 4th Ave, Room 130
Portland, OR 97204
The June 30 hearing will be a hybrid meeting, and community members may testify in person, by phone or video conference. Visit the Council event page to learn more about how to sign up to testify.