what people are saying
At a time when we need to be rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuels, it is outrageous that we are forced to battle against a Tar Sands oil expansion in Portland. Instead of permitting new fossil fuel projects, we must develop plans to dismantle existing fossil fuel infrastructure in line with the local goal of all sectors being powered by 100% renewable energy by 2050.
Nicholas Caleb, Staff Attorney for the Climate Justice Program at the Center for Sustainable Economy The expansion at the Zenith terminal defies everything we know about what needs to happen to improve the health and well-being of our urban communities, and to deal with the imminent threat that global climate change poses to the air we breathe in our neighborhoods. Rail activity is a significant source of diesel pollution, the deadliest air pollutant in Portland. It is time to shut this activity down, not expand it. Mary Peveto, Co-founder Neighbors for Clean Air Are 108 schools in danger enough? What about 100 child care facilities? Or the $25,792,647,580.00 of property at risk? What will it take to put a stop to this expansion? We need to stop the expansion of dirty fossil fuels, and to create a world that embodies climate justice, equity, and sustainability. Solomon Duke, Franklin High Student, Portland Youth Climate Council We stand with the City of Portland in opposing reckless oil trains...it's so important to rein in oil train traffic through Portland neighborhoods and along our rivers. Dan Serres, Conservation Director, Columbia Riverkeeper At a time when we're taking long overdue steps to clean up decades of toxic industrial pollution -- such as the 10-mile long Superfund site in Portland Harbor -- the seismic deficiencies of our local fossil fuel infrastructure threatens far greater ecological damage. Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director, Portland Audubon I am concerned about the Zenith oil terminal expansion in Portland. Increasing the number of oil trains crossing the city would worsen our already polluted air and the level of noise pollution; put neighborhoods at risk of fire, explosion, and toxic spills; and steal from us our right to a healthy environment. Patricia Kullberg, MD MPH, Retired Primary Care Physician, Former Medical Director for Multnomah County Health Department Portland’s industrial legacy has left our Willamette River hurting. Higher numbers of people of color live near railways in Multnomah County. This raises environmental justice concerns. More than a century of industrial activity has left the river sediment filled with hazardous toxic waste. Alejandra Ruiz, Community Organizer, Portland Harbor Community Coalition Portland said no to the fossil fuel industry in 2015 when we became the first U.S. City to pass a resolution comprehensively opposing all new fossil fuel infrastructure. Now Zenith, a company with no relationship to our City, is trying to expand oil terminal operations with no opportunity for public review. The risks are too high at a time when we have safer renewable energy alternatives. We call on the City of Portland, the Multnomah County Commission, and Zenith Energy themselves to stop this project. Mia Reback, Sustainable Energy and Economy Network |