Portland, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is pausing the air quality permitting process for Zenith Energy at its Portland terminal as of Thursday. DEQ needs to gather more information from Zenith about its operations to confirm Zenith’s application and draft permit are complete. DEQ is pausing the current air quality permitting process, and the public hearings currently scheduled for Nov. 19 and Dec. 4 are cancelled.

“We appreciate the community’s participation and questions during the public process,” said Christine Svetkovich, DEQ’s northwest region administrator. “Their questions and feedback led DEQ to pursue additional information from Zenith Energy. It will take some time for us to receive all the information and determine next steps.”

DEQ conducted an unannounced inspection on Nov. 13 to gather more information about Zenith’s operations on adjacent properties. It is not yet clear if this will lead to a change in the draft air quality permit.

By Dec. 6, DEQ will set a date for a public information meeting to share more about its inspection, findings and next steps.

For more information, visit ordeq.org/zenith and sign up for email and text updates through GovDelivery.

Media contact:
Michael Loch, public affairs specialist
michael.loch@deq.oregon.gov
503-737-9435

###