This is the first in a series of community-driven forums to educate and activate around the threats to public health, safety, and our environment stemming from the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub, with a focus on Zenith Energy’s oil-by-rail operations. The CEI Hub is a six-mile stretch of old tank farms, located in NW Portland along the WIllamette River just upstream from its convergence with the Columbia River. The CEI Hub holds more than 90% of all liquid fuel in Oregon. Located within the CEI Hub is Zenith Energy, the source of dangerous oil trains plowing through our communities. Concerned yet? Here is more bad news: the entire CEI Hub is on what is known as a liquefaction zone—meaning in the likely case of an eventual earthquake, the soil will become the consistency of cake batter. The result of this would be catastrophic for our communities, the ecosystem, and the Lower Columbia River. Join us to hear from a fantastic panel of experts, about what is going on at Zenith and the CEI Hub, what’s next, and how you can get engaged.
WHAT: “Rumble on the River Community Forum: What’s Up with Zenith Energy and the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub in Portland”
WHEN: Thursday, October 13 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Zoom! RSVP here and we will email you a link for the online community forum. Can’t make it? We’ve got you covered. RSVP and we’ll email you a recording after it airs.
COST: Free! Please invite anyone you know who cares about clean air, safe communities, and environmental justice.
SPEAKERS: Nick Caleb, Climate and Energy Attorney with Breach Collective; Micah Meskel, Activist Program Manager with Portland Audubon; Laurie King, long-time community advocate; Melanie Plaut, retired doctor and member of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and 350PDX Volunteer; John Wasiutynski, Multnomah County Office of Sustainability Director; and will be moderated by Kate Murphy, Community Organizer with Columbia Riverkeeper.
FORUM CO-SPONSORS: 350PDX, Braided River Campaign, Breach Collective, CedarAction, Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association, Columbia Riverkeeper, Linnton Neighborhood Association, Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Neighbors for Clean Air, Portland Harbor Community Coalition, Portland Youth Climate Council, SunrisePDX, XR-PDX
