We’re thrilled to report an unexpected twist in the ongoing saga to stop Zenith! On Wednesday, Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) conducted a surprise inspection at Zenith’s McCall dock—the same dock Zenith unlawfully connected to in 2021. During their visit, inspectors discovered Zenith had done “more expansive” construction work than expected. The following day, citing the need for additional information before proceeding with Zenith’s air quality permit application, DEQ announced they are pausing the comment period and canceling the two public hearings for November and December.

This is a REALLY big deal and an encouraging sign that regulators are taking our concerns seriously. DEQ even attributed this pause directly our engagement in this process.

This means there is no longer a public hearing at the University of Portland on Tuesday. Instead, we will be gathering at the same time (Tuesday, 11/19 at 6pm) at our Climate Justice Workshop Space on Mississippi Ave to celebrate this news and strategize about what comes next. We’ll still have pizza, hot cocoa, and some awesome speakers (including a newly-elected Portland City Councilmember!).