Longview Rejects Propane Export…Will PDX Follow?

Haven Energy now joins the growing list of dirty and dangerous fossil fuel export corporations rejected by Northwest communities. On March 10, Longview residents secured a 3-0 vote from the Port of Longview commissioners rejecting a lease with Haven Energy, a

Texas-based propane export corporation. After hours of public testimony, the safety concerns and the port’s previous commitment to the break-bulk cargo industry (e.g. steel and wind turbines) prevailed over the gamble of dangerous propane export. Longview residents organized by the group Landowners and Citizens for a Safe Community and the International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 21 were at the forefront of opposition to Haven Energy’s propane export terminal proposal.

Now, all eyes are on Portland. The largest pipeline company in the Alberta tar sands mining industry, Pembina, wants to export propane from the Port of Portland’s Terminal 6 on the Columbia River to Asian markets. Pembina’s proposal would create: more profits for fracking and tar sands companies; more mile-long unit trains of explosive propane cutting through our communities; dangerous, pressurized propane storage tanks endangering workers and neighborhoods; and propane supertankers on the Columbia River with the possibility of large ‘security zones’ that restrict other ships and recreational boats. Even more, Pembina’s proposal comes at a time when the City of Portland is attempting to establish itself as a leader in climate policies and sustainability.

Speak Up and Stop Propane Export in Portland: Submit a Comment Today!
Pembina’s planned operations at Terminal 6 require the construction of a pipeline to transfer propane from massive refrigerated storage tanks onto supertankers. Because piping propane through an Environmental Conservation Zone is prohibited, Pembina is currently seeking an amendment to Portland’s Conservation Habitat zoning from Portland’s Planning and Sustainability Commission – a change the Commission can reject.

The opposition to Pembina is strong. Propane export doesn’t match Portland carbon-reduction ambitions and the recently released draft Climate Action Plan includes an objective to create a fossil fuel export policy. North and northeast Portland neighborhoods living in Pembina’s possible ‘blast zone’ are quickly lining up in opposition to the project. Portland’s dockworker’s union, ILWU Local 8, is also opposed to the dangerous export terminal.

Make Sure Your Voice is Heard: Submit a Comment Today!

The Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) is slated to vote on Pembina’s code amendment at a public hearing on April 7, 2015. If the PSC votes to approve the code amendment, the decision will then go onto the Portland City Council for the final vote.

Full details on the hearing are below:

WHAT: Public meeting of the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC). Commissioners are slated to vote on the Pembina code amendment. Public testimony is allowed! This is the second hearing held by the PSC on the topic. The first was a packed house of community members in opposition.

WHO: The Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC) will host the meeting. Come testify in opposition or simply show your solidarity by wearing red and being in the audience!

WHEN: March 17, 2015 3-7 PM, please arrive at 2:30 for a rally outside! Also, sign up to provide up to 2 minutes of public testimony to the PSC opens at 2:30PM

WHERE: 1900 SW 4th Ave. in downtown Portland, OR.

COMMENT: Click here to submit your comment opposing propane export!