DEQ Grants Air Permit to Zenith Energy Despite Public Outcry

In a news cycle full of extremely strange news, we’ve got another unfortunate update: the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has granted an air permit to Zenith Energy. 

This goes directly against the objections of thousands of Portlanders who have organized for years to expose Zenith’s many lies and violations. It’s not entirely unexpected – the DEQ rarely denies air permits – but it’s deeply disappointing nonetheless. 

Background

In 2021, the City of Portland denied Zenith’s Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS). That was a huge victory and the result of persistent community organizing. But then came political turnover, thanks in part to the messy politics of the pandemic. 

While community members were winning in court over that denial, the previous city council (notably Commissioners Carmen Rubio and Dan Ryan) negotiated a backroom deal with Zenith. They granted the company permission that had previously been denied, while the lawsuit was still active, and hid the deal from the public environmental advocates. 

When the deal was finally revealed, it ignited a storm of oversight and community outrage. Arguably, that backlash heavily influenced the last city council election and helped bring in new, critical thinkers. 

It Still Isn’t Over

This latest DEQ decision is not good. It runs against the flow of politics, against what our current City Council is trying to do to hold Zenith accountable. It’s a setback, but it’s not the end of the story.

There are still tools and avenues available: 

• There’s an active lawsuit over the LUCS that was granted in March. 

• There are other policy processes underway at the City. 

• And this air permit can still be appealed. 

Stay in the fight. This fight is far from over, and we still have a real chance to win.