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Zenith Energy

Zenith Energy Terminal Holdings, LLC is a fuel products transloading facility. The company accepts crude oil, diesel, renewable fuels and other fuel products from one mode of transportation, like railcars, and passes them along to another, such as marine vessels. In the interim, fuel products are stored at the facility in above-ground tanks. Zenith Energy is located at 5501 NW Front Avenue in northwest Portland.

Current status of Zenith Energy Air Quality Permit

Zenith's air quality permitting process is on currently on pause while DEQ gathers more information. On Dec. 6, 2024, DEQ requested a Land Use Compatibility Statement, or LUCS, from Zenith to cover operations on adjacent properties before the agency can proceed with the air quality permitting process.

DEQ requested a LUCS issued by the City of Portland that includes these operations within 60 days, or by Feb. 4, 2025. DEQ determined that the LUCS Zenith submitted in 2022 for its Title V air quality permit renewal and new Air Contaminant Discharge Permit applications does not cover the McCall and Chevron properties adjacent to Zenith's terminal, where Zenith loads fuel onto ships at marine docks.  

Upcoming public information meeting on Dec. 16, 2024

DEQ will hold a virtual information meeting on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to talk to the community about its decisions and next steps. 

Join via phone by calling 253-215-8782 and entering Webinar ID: 868 5013 9436, Passcode: 582325. 

DEQ held virtual public information meetings on April 17, 2024 and Oct. 28, 2024 to share information and answer questions about how DEQ regulates the Zenith Energy terminal. The audience heard from DEQ's Air Quality Permitting program, Cleaner Air Oregon program, Fuel Tank Seismic Stability program, Emergency Response program on spill preparedness and Office of Compliance and Enforcement. DEQ also shared information about Zenith's draft Air Contaminant Discharge Permit and application.

Oct. 28, 2024 information meeting

April 17, 2024 information meeting

Sign up to receive information and updates about the proposed permitting action.

Air quality

Current status: Following the City's approval of Zenith's Land Use Compatibility Statement in 2022, Zenith submitted an air quality permit application to DEQ. The air quality permitting process is currently on hold while DEQ is seeking additional information from Zenith.
Note: DEQ cannot overturn a land use compatibility statement, which allows Zenith to operate at its terminal. That would either have to happen at the City of Portland or through the Land Use Board of Appeals. See the FAQs below for more information.

​2021

  • January: DEQ requests a new LUCS from Zenith.

  • August: City of Portland​ denies Zenith's application for a land use compatibility statement. Zenith appeals the City of Portland's decision to the Land Use Board of Appeals.

  • September: DEQ denies Zenith's air quality permit because of the City's denial of the land use compatibility statement.

  • October: Zenith appeals DEQ's denial of Zenith's air quality permit.

​2022​

  • February: Land Use Board of Appeals rules that the City has the authority to deny the LUCS. Zenith appeals the Land Use Board of Appeals decision to the Oregon Court of Appeals.

  • May: The Oregon Court of Appeals affirms the Land Use Board of Appeals ruling that the City has the authority to deny the LUCS.

  • June: Zenith appeals the Oregon Court of Appeals decision to the Oregon Supreme Court.

  • October: City approves Zenith's updated land use compatibility statement. Zenith sends DEQ amended Title V air quality permit application.

  • November: DEQ receives a copy of Zenith's air quality permit application.​

2024

  • October: DEQ announces the public notice​ of the draft Air Contaminant Discharge Permit and opens the public comment period to receive input from the community. The public notice also includes details about a second public information meeting and two public hearings. DEQ hosts a second public information meeting on Oct. 28 to share information about the draft Air Contaminant Discharge Permit and answer questions. 

  • November: Following an unannounced inspection​, DEQ pauses the air quality permitting process. DEQ cancels the public hearings to gather more information and determine next steps. 

  • December: DEQ announces continued pause of Zenith's air quality permitting process after it requested that Zenith provides a LUCS that covers operations on adjacent properties. DEQ also issues a $372,600 fine to Zenith for unauthorized use of the McCall dock between April 2021 and June 2024. DEQ hosts a public information meeting on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to talk to the community about its decisions and next steps. See above for meeting details.​


Frequently asked questions

Questions raised by community members at the April 2024 public information meeting were compiled by Columbia Riverkeeper. Read the questions and DEQ’s answers.

​DEQ does not have the authority to make land use decisions. The City of Portland is the local land use authority for determining if the Zenith facility and operations are in line with local land use requirements. DEQ's process for reviewing these statements is to ensure any land use compatibility statement, or LUCS, the agency receives is consistent with that facility's application to confirm both DEQ and the land use agency are getting the same information.

DEQ asked Zenith for a new LUCS from the City of Portland in January 2021 because the activities Zenith proposed in its air quality permit renewal application did not match the existing LUCS.

When the City denied Zenith's LUCS, DEQ also denied Zenith's permit application. Zenith appealed the City's land use decision to the Land Use Board of Appeals. While the decision was under appeal, Zenith proposed a new LUCS and the City approved it. Zenith submitted a new air quality permit application to DEQ with the approved LUCS.

Any reversal or appeal of the LUCS would have to come from the City or go through the Land Use Board of Appeals the same way Zenith appealed the City's initial decision.

Questions specific to the City's LUCS process, approval, decision making and auditor report can be sent to: bds@portlandoregon.gov ​

​The new Land Use Compatibility Statement, or LUCS, includes conditions for Zenith to cease all transloading of crude oil by 2027, lower the plant site emission limit for volatile organic compounds, cease operation of the asphalt refinery, require removal of thirty storage tanks and allow new storage tank construction only if related to renewable fuels and non-fuel projects, among other conditions.

Learn more about these conditions from the City of Portland Bureau of Development Services. Read the full LUCS on the City of Portland's public records website. Questions specific to the City's LUCS process, approval, decision making and auditor report can be sent to: bds@portlandoregon.gov​

Zenith is operating in compliance with its existing Title V permit. Per Oregon law, while Zenith has a complete, timely application in, it may operate consistent with its existing permit until DEQ makes a permitting decision.​


Contact

For media inquiries:

Michael Loch 
Office of Communications and Outreach
503-737-9435