May Team & Campaign Updates
Welcome to our monthly newsletter, where we highlight some of the amazing work our volunteer teams have been up to and how you can take action! But first, join us for 350PDX Action Night, a monthly in-person gathering at our event space where new and seasoned people interested in climate justice gather to network, take action, and organize for the future! We’ll also have food and drinks.
May Action Night
Wed, May 15, 6-8:00PM — 350PDX Office (3639 N Mississippi Ave) – learn more and sign up here
TEAM UPDATES
Want to get involved but not sure where to start? Fill out the Volunteer Form, or come to our 350PDX Volunteer Orientation!
Fossil Fuel Resistance Team
Steel Bridge Train Derailment:
Early Monday, a freight train derailed on the Steel Bridge, disrupting all bridge transportation for the most of the day. This was a near-miss of a potentially historical fatal and devastating event, considering the potential danger if the derailed train had been carrying hazardous materials like crude oil. Soon after the accident, Breach Collective interviewed our Campaign Manager, Dineen O’Rourke, who provided insights and discussed the derailment’s relevance to our campaign against Zenith Energy’s oil transloading and storage facility. Listen here!
DEQ and Zenith Energy:
On April 17, 350PDX’s Fossil Fuel Resistance team, alongside numerous community members, posed nearly 80 questions to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality regarding Zenith’s upcoming air quality permit. Thanks to all who participated, whether in-person or online! The DEQ is anticipated to initiate a formal public comment period later this spring, providing us with an opportunity to submit comments and testify at a public hearing on this critical issue. Now is a great time to engage and assist us in halting Zenith’s operations.
We still have blast zone yard signs available to raise awareness among our neighbors. Unsure if you reside in the blast zone of Zenith’s oil trains? Check by entering your address into the map on our website. If your address falls within the red or yellow areas, you’re in the blast zone.
Join us this Thursday evening (May 2nd) from 6-8:00pm for the next Rumble on the River Community Forum. The topic is Transportation Justice. Hear from an incredible panel of speakers: Rep. Khanh Pham, Indi Namkoong (Verde), Abby Griffith (OPAL, Bus Riders Unite!), and Chris Smith (No More Freeways). Topics will include: Transit Equity Accessibility Reliability, Climate Impacts, Freeway Expansion, Biking, Walking, Carpools, Safety Funding, Effective Models Elsewhere. St. Andrew Catholic Church (806 NE Alberta St.)
GET CONNECTED: The next FFR Team meeting will be on Tuesday, May 14 at 5:30 pm. We would love for you to join us! If you would like to attend, please email dineen@350pdx.org.
Forest Defense Team
After an incredibly busy March, the Forest Defense Team took some time in April to regroup and reflect on our various campaigns. Our overall assessment is that the team is great – if a little spread thin – but that’s because there are so many important projects to work on!
Shade Equity:
Portland is rewriting its Urban Forest Plan and we’ve been actively sharing our feedback by filling out Urban Forestry’s online survey, attending the open house, and co-authoring and submitting a letter to Urban Forestry detailing issues we’d like to see addressed in the new plan.
Industrial Biomass:
After the great news that the SW Clean Air Agency withdrew the draft air pollution permit for Drax’s proposed biomass pellet plant in Longview, we asked Cowlitz County to take a similar action and withdraw its determination that the plant would not have a significant environmental impact, and to re-write its environmental analysis. We learned a lot about the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), which is very cool and something we wish Oregon had! If you want to get in the weeds about environmental policy and the Drax plant – read the letter we sent the Cowlitz County Planning Department!
We’ve also been connecting with allies across the west coast, country, and internationally to call attention to biomass energy as a false climate solution. Along with elevating actions against Drax at its Annual General Meeting on April 25, we are supporting a new federal bill that would require a carbon lifecycle analysis of industrial biomass production. Be on the lookout for an action asking Senators Merkely and Wyden to support this bill!
Finally – a big thanks to our friends at the 350PDX Arts Team who made this beautiful poster calling attention to the impacts of the proposed Drax plant. Over 100 posters were given away at the Longview Earth Day event!
Upcoming Meetings and a Hike!
After an enlivening in-person meeting, we’re going to try meeting half of the time in person, outside. Our meeting on the first Monday of the month will be in person. Our third Monday meeting will be online. We’re also going to hike in the Tillamook State Forest on Sunday, May 12th (celebrating our collective mother – the earth!). If you want more information about the hike or upcoming meetings, please contact Brenna (brenna@350pdx.org), Tyler (tyler@350pdx.org) or Felice (felice.kelly@gmail.com).
Climate Justice Policy Team
Sustainability & Climate Commission:
Last week, Climate Policy Manager, Cherice Bock, and team members testified at City Council to support the ordinance to create a Sustainability & Climate Commission. This will be up for a vote on May 2. There’s still time to send our one-click email to let the city council know you care, or you can write your own comment and submit it here before May 1 (some talking points here).
Defend PCEF…Again!
Some city commissioners are suggesting a cap on how much PCEF income will go to climate and environmental justice priorities, or reducing the big business tax rate so PCEF does not bring in as much funding. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 14, and join us at the PCEF press conference (8:15am) and city council work session (9:00–11:30am), 1900 SW Fourth Avenue Room 2500.
Climate Friendly Public Schools:
Last Thursday, we stood alongside numerous groups from the original Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) coalition, as well as community organizations, school leaders, teachers, and students, advocating for allocating up to $50 million in PCEF funding to support climate resiliency projects in Portland schools. This exciting intergovernmental agreement stems from the Climate Investment Plan for PCEF that we advocated for last fall. Known as Climate Friendly Public Schools, you can read more about it here. Please show your support by sending a one-click email, and emphasize the importance of directing all PCEF funding towards climate justice projects like this one. The proposal will be up for a vote on May 8.
GET CONNECTED: If you’d like to help us track, research, and advocate for strong climate justice policy in Portland and beyond, please email Cherice to join the team! We meet on the second Wednesday of each month, usually on Zoom. Our next meeting is on May 8, 6:30–8:00pm.
Arts Team
April’s Earth Day March in SE Portland was a big hit with hundreds of marchers and our own Sun Power, Wind Power, and Mother Earth puppets gliding through streets to the music of the Unprecedented Marching Band. Thanks to the Arts Team puppeteers for bringing their energy to the march!
Our work continues on the mural we’re painting in the workroom, and on building the new tree and anti-Mr. Monopoly puppets, and also on DRAX posters. If you’d like to help us, we’d love to have you!
GET CONNECTED: Since our Second Sunday Artbuild falls on Mother’s Day this year, team leads will consider another possible date this month. Keep an eye out for what that date might be, or email Donna (murph1949@aol.com) to be sure you know! 350PDX Arts Team Leads – Donna, Dannika, Lauren, Allison
