Blog

No New Nuclear

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Big tech made a big splash recently. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft  all announced plans to fuel their voracious appetite for energy, needed for AI and data centers, using new or resurrected nuclear power plants. In our region, Amazon now says it wants in on a scheme to build new nuclear plants on the Columbia River at Hanford. Read more

Turbulent Waters Ahead

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Overhead view of dry riverbed in the fall

I don’t have to tell you that the recent federal election results are not good for the Columbia River and those who depend on it. 

Columbia Riverkeeper’s range of talents—including legal acumen, on-the-ground organizing, savvy communications, and a large, active membership—give us the tools to curtail some of the worst effects of the election in our region. Read more

Zenith Energy’s Legacy of Violations and Lies

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overhead view of Zenith energy site

We know Zenith Energy has a history of violations and misleading regulators. So we decided to answer the question: just how many violations has Zenith committed? 

The answer is outrageous. Turns out, violations appear to be part of Zenith’s business model. Since arriving in Portland, Zenith has racked up roughly 20 violations from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)! Together, these violations tell the story of a fossil fuel company that has been out of compliance nearly the entire time it has been operating in Portland, a company that has misled regulators to obtain permits to expand operations, a company that cannot be trusted. Read more

NEXT: Water Quality Disaster

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Westward Estuary

Last week marked the end of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ’s) comment period on the NEXT refinery’s water quality permit. DEQ is proposing to issue a permit that will not protect the Columbia River and surrounding waterways from NEXT’s pollution. We know that siting a major refinery on wetlands near the Columbia River Estuary is a horrible idea. That’s why we gave DEQ a laundry list of reasons to deny the permit.  Read more

What’s the Deal with New Nuclear Power Webinar Evaluation

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Webinar on the problems with Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMNRs)

By Kelly Campbell, Policy Director

Columbia Riverkeeper explores the problems with “new” nuclear power, why it is not part of a just transition to a clean energy future, and why siting more nuclear power plants on the Columbia River should be a non-starter in the Read more

What’s the Deal with New Nuclear Power?

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Webinar on the problems with Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMNRs)

By Kelly Campbell, Policy Director

Columbia Riverkeeper explores the problems with “new” nuclear power, why it is not part of a just transition to a clean energy future, and why siting more nuclear power plants on the Columbia River should be a non-starter in the Read more

Rumble Downriver: Standing Up to a Risky Refinery in the Columbia River Estuary

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DEQ Considering Approval of Major Polluter in Estuary

By Dan Serres, Advocacy Director

On October 16, 2024, join us for a virtual “Rumble on the River” to learn about the effort to stop a huge refinery in the Columbia River Estuary that falsely promises to make “renewable” fuels, but in reality threatens to increase greenhouse gas pollution and impose toxic water pollution in an area vital for local residents, farms and fish. Read more

2024 Give!Guide Business Partners 

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2024 Give!Guide Business Partners  By Alex Smith, Development Manager We are honored to be participating in this year’s Willamette Week Give!Guide.  This is an annual campaign to raise funds for … Read more

2025-2028 Strategic Plan Survey

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Columbia Riverkeeper wants your feedback! This survey takes less than 15 minutes and will contribute to building our 2025 – 2027 Strategic Plan. Please answer the questions below and you’ll … Read more