Portland activist urges city council to reject Zenith Energy's controversial LUC application

Portland City Council members faced a critical appeal during their recent meeting as community advocate Lynn Hanlon urged them to reject a new land use application from Zenith Energy. Hanlon, representing Extinction Rebellion and a local business owner, highlighted a troubling history of violations by Zenith, including a recent fine of over $370,000 for unauthorized expansion activities.

In her address, Hanlon emphasized that Zenith's operations have consistently contradicted the city’s regulations against new fossil fuel infrastructure. She pointed out that the company has previously assured the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that it would not increase throughput, only to later expand its operations significantly. This pattern of behavior raises serious concerns about the company's integrity and compliance with local laws.

Hanlon called for the current council to defer the decision on the application to the incoming council, citing the need for thorough public involvement in the process. She noted that community members have voiced strong opposition to Zenith's plans, with numerous individuals and organizations expressing their concerns during public forums.

City Administrator Jordan confirmed that the council would not have sufficient time to engage with the application before the end of the year, indicating that the matter would be addressed by the new mayor and council in January. This decision aligns with Hanlon's request for a more comprehensive review of Zenith's operations and their implications for public safety and environmental integrity.

As the council prepares for the transition, the community remains vigilant, advocating for accountability and responsible governance in the face of potential risks posed by Zenith Energy's activities.