Johnathan Walker:Resolution Opposing All New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Passes in Portland

Portland,Johnathan Walker Oregon took a step toward combatting climate change on Thursday when its leaders unanimously supported a resolution to actively oppose the local expansion of all new fossil fuel storage and transport.

Hailed as “historic” and “visionary” by climate campaigners, the resolution––passed by the mayor and four commissioners of Oregon’s largest city––is the latest in a series of major climate actions nationally. President Barack Obama recently announced the rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline on climate grounds. Citing New York’s pledge to mitigate “catastrophic effects of climate change,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Thursday blocked the Port Ambrose liquefied natural gas project. Last week, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and six other Democrats proposed the “Keep It In the Ground” bill to end new fossil fuel extraction on public lands.

According to Portland Mayor Charlie Hales, the first-in-the-nation resolution offers a blueprint for other cities, states––even nations––to follow. Hales co-sponsored the resolution with Commissioner Amanda Fritz.

“There is a fear among younger generations that their future will be compromised if our generation doesn’t act on climate change. The reality is, while climate change could be even more catastrophic, it’s not too late to do something about it. If we’re aggressive about carbon reduction, we can, city by city, make a difference,” Hales said in a statement.

The resolutions is not a “ban” or “moratorium,” even though that’s how it has been referred to by some activists. Several federal preemptions would likely render a direct ban illegal, said Brett VandenHeuvel, executive director of the local grassroots group Columbia Riverkeeper.

Instead, the city council’s resolution is a broad policy mandate to halt the local expansion of fossil fuels through the city’s existing laws. Over the course of several months, city staff at various departments will examine laws––including those related to public health, safety, building and fire codes––and come up with recommendations and proposed city code changes in order to enforce the policy. Their strategy must go through a public comment period before it takes effect. 

“I think it is a very smart approach,” said VandenHeuvel. This policy “directs city staff to take a look at their laws and enforce their laws, or change them if necessary” in order to make this policy happen. “Any city could do that.”

An example of how this could work is the Pembina Pipeline Corporation’s proposal last year to build a propane storage facility. The project requires the construction of a pipeline through a swath of conservation land in Portland, where such infrastructure is prohibited. In the past, city officials might have been able to exempt the project from this law (though they have not done so). Yesterday’s resolution makes such an exemption and the project’s approval less likely.

According to Bob Sallinger, conservation director of the Audubon Society of Portland, this “historic” resolution sends a firm message to the fossil fuel industry: “Portland is closed for business.”

The resolution is also consistent with Portland’s 2015 Climate Action plan, which directs the city to create a “fossil fuel export policy that considers the lifecycle emissions, safety, economics, neighborhood livability and environmental impacts.”

In recent years, the Pacific Northwest has received roughly a dozen proposals for new oil transport and storage facilities. Energy companies are trying to make the region the country’s next major oil export hub, but they have faced increasing pushback from residents. There’s a proposal to build what would be the country’s largest oil terminal in the Vancouver, Wash., less than 10 miles away from downtown Portland. Largely in protest of this project, Portland’s city commission passed a resolution last week opposing the increase of oil train traffic in the region.