We need your help! Email all of the Multnomah County Commissioners and Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. Ask them to pass a strong financial assurance aka risk bond ordinance NOW to hold companies doing business in the CEI Hub accountable.
Background: The Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub is where 600 fossil fuel storage tanks are located in NW Portland along the Willamette River. The CEI Hub is where 90% of the fossil fuels used in Oregon are stored. A 2022 study estimated that in the event of a Cascadia Subduction Earthquake, the amount of fossil fuels released into the Willamette from the CEI Hub would rival the Deepwater Horizon spill. The companies which own these fossil fuel storage tanks are generally self-insured, which means that taxpayers would likely end up footing the bill for any clean-up. By requiring companies to obtain risk bonds the County can ensure there are funds for the cleanup, and incentivize companies to make essential improvements to minimize damages.
A group of concerned citizens and organizations, including OregonPSR, Sierra Club, Tank the Tanks, Ecofaith Recovery, and others have been urging Multnomah County to pass an ordinance requiring tank owners in the CEI Hub to obtain risk bonds to prove their ability to pay for remediation from toxic releases. Commissioners Moyer (district 1) and Singleton (district 2) are currently working to complete the ordinance and bring it before the County Commission. Now is the time to show public support for the ordinance.
Email each of the commissioners and Chair Vega Pederson using the links below. Feel free to edit the email and be sure to let the commissioner whose district you are in that you are one of their supportive constituents.
Find your Multnomah County Commissioner: https://multco.us/info/find-your-multnomah-county-district
Commissioner emails:
Chair Vega-Pederson: [email protected]
District 1: [email protected]
District 2: [email protected]
District 3: [email protected]
District 4: [email protected]
Email Templates:
For Commissioners Moyer and Singleton:
Dear Commissioner Moyer and Singleton,
I want to express my deep appreciation for your leadership in developing and championing the risk bond or financial assurance ordinance for the CEI HUB. Your work to protect our community from the potential of a Cascadia subduction Zone Earthquake which could release quantities of fossil fuels into the Willamette rivaling the Deepwater Horizon spill demonstrates foresight and responsibility. This ordinance will incentivize companies to seismically upgrade their tanks now, not ten years from now. Thank you for prioritizing this important public safety measure this spring.
Sincerely,
[first name]
[zipcode] (optional)
For Commissioners (Commissioners Brim-Edwards (District 3), Jones-Dixon (District 4) and Chair Vega Pederson):
Dear Chair Vega Pederson, and Commissioners Brim-Edwards and Jones-Dixon,
Protect our county! The time is now! Let’s pass a risk bond ordinance this spring. This ordinance will incentivize companies to seismically upgrade their tanks NOW, not 10 years from now to prevent the devastation of a Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake. Thank you for supporting this ordinance!
Sincerely,
[first name]
[zipcode] (optional)