#zenith-energy

#zenith-energy

A lawsuit environmental advocates filed against the city of Portland after it issued a land use credential to Zenith Energy will be heard in a specialized administrative court, after a state appeals court returned the case. Environmental advocates say the court's decision is a win because the case will be heard by a board of attorneys with a better understanding of the complex legal framework around state land use law.

Environmental groups have been at odds with the city of Portland for years over Zenith Energy's oil transloading facility in Northwest Portland. Critics argue the city is allowing a dangerous operation with environmental and health risks to continue its business, with little mechanism for the city to enforce its own regulations imposed on the energy company. That last part came into clearer focus recently. A lawsuit filed against the city by multiple environmental groups revealed issues with a Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS)

IN LOCAL NEWS: In 2002, when the city of Portland initially granted Zenith Energy permission to continue operating its fuel transport and storage facility in Northwest Portland, it did so with a number of conditions-in an attempt to limit further potential for local pollution. Environmental advocates who disagreed with the permit subsequently sued, and now a city attorney has admitted that the city does not believe it can enforce those compromise conditions at all. For the Mercury, Abe Asher has more.

When the city of Portland permitted Zenith Energy to continue operating its fuel transport and storage facility in Northwest Portland three years ago, it did so on several conditions designed to limit potential harms to the environment. The land use compatibility statement issued by the city requires Zenith to phase out its use of crude oil, reduce its storage tank capacity, and reduce other potentially toxic emissions.