Sarah Silkie — Candidate for City Council, District 4

Campaign site

Endorsed: Full 350PDX Climate Justice Platform 2024 (Zenith, CEI Hub, Portland Harbor, PCEF, Shade Equity, No Freeway Widening, Building Emissions, Transit, Walking & Rolling, Climate Governance, and Divest from Fossil Fuels)

Candidate statement:

As a city council candidate, my priorities on climate change, environmental justice, and sustainability are rooted in equity and long-term resilience. I believe in centering our communities in decision-making to ensure that the transition to a sustainable future benefits everyone.

I am committed to phasing out fossil fuel infrastructure in Portland, including opposing Zenith Energy’s operations, which threaten public health and the environment. I will work to relocate toxic storage from the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub’s liquefaction zone and pursue a Charter Amendment on Environmental Justice. This will ensure all major decisions prioritize the environment and community well-being over corporate interests.

Adapting Portland’s infrastructure for climate resilience is essential. I support expanding our tree canopy to improve shade equity and reduce urban heat islands, especially in neglected communities. I will work to secure permanent funding for tree maintenance, bike lane sweeping, and leaf removal. Sustainable stormwater management, which mitigates flood risks and enhances green spaces, will also be a priority.

One of our key challenges is the lack of infrastructure that works for everyone. I will advocate for a complete network of sidewalks, separated bike lanes, and public transportation to encourage active transportation. The City currently lacks a plan to repave neighborhood roads, leaving most areas neglected. I will prioritize transportation funding. Higher parking fees downtown and near venues like Providence Park can also help fund improvements and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Traffic safety is another urgent issue. In 2023, 69 people died in traffic crashes in Portland. I support reallocating funds to increase traffic enforcement where needed to save lives and ensure everyone—whether walking, biking, or driving—can travel safely.

Portland must transition to renewable energy. I will push for policies that electrify public and private transportation, homes, and businesses, with a focus on energy-efficiency upgrades for affordable housing to ensure low-income communities benefit from the clean energy transition.

I support fully funding PCEF and ensuring its resources benefit frontline communities by prioritizing projects that create green jobs, enhance energy efficiency, and support community-driven climate solutions.

Environmental justice is central to my platform. I will advocate for policies that reduce air pollution, improve access to green spaces, and ensure Portland’s climate resilience efforts are equitable and beneficial to all communities.

In conclusion, I will bring my engineering background to the council to focus on practical, long-term solutions. Together, we can build a sustainable, equitable Portland to carry us through to the future.

Will you ensure the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) remains climate-focused in line with what voters intended?

Yes