PORTLAND, Ore. — The City of Portland denied a request by a Northwest Portland oil terminal to expand its operations.
It's a decision many environmental groups applaud.
The Zenith Energy Terminal had wanted to add three new pipes capable of transporting fossil fuels under Northwest Front Avenue.
However, the company said those pipes would not be used to transport any oil.
But in a letter to Zenith, the City of Portland's Office of Community Technology (OCT) said it does not have the staffing to be able to monitor what is in the pipelines at all times.
It also pointed out that the company had already failed to pay the five months worth of fees for the lines it operates now and could not be relied upon to pay the new fees.
As a result, the OCT denied Zenith's request.
It's move environmental groups are cheering.
"It doesn't stop what Zenith is doing right now in terms of running oil trains, that continues to be a huge concern,... but it does show that the city is willing to push back on Zenith and potentially stop Zenith from expanding dramatically even further," said Dan Serres, Conservation Director for Columbia Riverkeeper.
In a statement sent to KGW, Zenith Energy responded by saying it is disappointed in the city's decision.
The company went on to say that it paid those past due fees on October 21, when it learned it had an outstanding balance.
It did not comment on any future plans.