In this issue:
- CALENDAR: XRPDX Meetings
- UPCOMING EVENTS: February 13, 16
- EDITOR'S NOTE: Bad Stuff Happens. So We Organize.
- REPORT BACK: Telling the Truth about Zenith
- WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
- IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Supporting PCEF
- NEW ON THE BLOG: 1 Book Review, 2 Testimonies to City Council
- NETWORKING WITH ALLIES: Don't Raise Fares, TriMet!
- XR MOVEMENT BUILDING: XR US Open House News
- NEW TO XRPDX? Sign Up for an Intro Presentation
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XRPDX Meetings
Thursday, February 9, 7 pm: Coordinating Team meeting
Tuesday, February 14, 6 pm: Action & Media meeting
Tuesday, February 21, 6 pm: Action & Media meeting
Thursday, February 23, 7 pm: Coordinating Team meeting
Tuesday, February 28, 6 pm: Full chapter meeting
Every Wednesday, 2:30 pm, Regenerative Culture working group meetings.
Please RSVP with your name and email by an hour prior to whichever meeting you want to attend, to receive zoom info.
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Who enjoys the urban forest is a question at the heart of climate justice.
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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Upcoming Events
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February 13, 5 pm, online: Everyone is invited to a "People's Hearing" about GTN Xpress methane pipeline, now planned to snake through Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and California. FERC didn't hold a hearing on this pipeline expansion project, which would push 150 million cubic feet of additional fracked gas. Also, the agency hasn't been addressing concerns raised by stakeholders, including Tribes, states, and Senators. You can register here for the People's Hearing: https://bit.ly/peopleshearing_gtn. Senator Merkley is planning to attend and speak! For more info, check out this short video from Rogue Climate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSDM4EIL1U8&t=1s
February 13, 6-8 pm: Shade Equity Social at Rebuilding Center Workshop, 3639 N. Mississippi Avenue. Celebrate Portland’s urban forests and share info about a more climate-resilient, equitable urban forest, in preparation for the February 15 PCEF listening session.. Short presentations from Friends of Trees, Portland Fruit Tree Project, Trees for Life Oregon, East Portland Resilience Coalition, and 350PDX. Food & drinks provided. The event is family-friendly, including a staffed space for kids. On TriMet Bus Line #4, side street parking available. Please register if you're planning to attend, and spread the word.
Thursday, February 16, 1 pm, State Capitol Building, 900 Court Street NE, Salem. Divest Oregon public funds from dirty energy! Public Hearing of HB 2601, which "Requires State Treasurer to exit from certain carbon-intensive investments", with public speakers in favor of the bill including the past Deputy Comptroller of New York State. Want to carpool? Have extra space in your car? Contact Laura for carpooling. Business casual is the dress code for the Oregon Investment Council meetings.
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Why did we carry signs about oil fires in front of Zenith?
Because we DON'T want them to happen!
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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Editor's Note: Bad Stuff Happens. So We Organize.
By Janet Weil
It's early February, and already this month there's been so much bad news.
Train derailment and chemical fire in Ohio, still ongoing:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/02/05/ohio-train-derailment-explosion-fire/11194610002/
Massive earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, with many thousands confirmed dead and millions suffering:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/08/desperation-and-anger-grow-in-search-for-turkey-and-syria-earthquake-survivors
And, of course, the ongoing permanent emergency of climate disruption:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/02/weather/polar-vortex-forecast-freezing-cold/index.html
A derailment of an oil train rolling to Zenith's facility, resulting in a chemical fire that the Portland Fire Department is not prepared to deal with, could happen here. A massive Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake could blast through the CEI Hub. As humans, we have the ability to think about the future and analyze risks and prepare for disaster. But just because we CAN do those things, as the global climate crisis has shown us, does not mean that we WILL.
As I wrote in my June 2021 post, "Nothing to See at Zenith: A Photo Essay":
"Awareness of risk demands imagination. The “event” hasn’t happened yet, so the mind must conjure the possibilities. The derailment, the blast, the fire, the smoke, the deaths, the persisting devastation. The enormous black billowing clouds, the flashes of bright orange flames. The mind can draw on memories of events: in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec; in Mosier, Oregon. ... Too much to deal with already: homeless encampments, shuttered businesses, COVID cases. IT hasn’t happened yet, and most people don’t want to imagine it happening, even those in city government trained and paid to think about risks to public health and safety."
In the Extinction Rebellion movement, we do confront the risks. And then we organize to raise the alarm and to demand appropriate, collective action. That what makes the slogan "The People Have the Power" more than empty words. Showing up together builds our power.
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At City Hall because Zenith is NOT compatible with the City's own climate plan!
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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Telling the Truth about Zenith
By Diana Meisenhelter
Over 50 citizens, dressed in red and led by Scrub the Hub, showed up with small gavels shaped like oil trains with handwritten messages at City Hall this morning. The group asked the Council to rescind the most recently granted LUCS to Zenith Energy, arguing that it is not compatible with the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Monday’s news of the horrific toxic train catastrophe in Ohio coupled with the devastating earthquake in Turkey were very much on people’s minds as they urged City Commissioners to prioritize public health and safety over private profit. The CEI Hub and Zenith's facility greatly increase the level of potential disaster as documented in the County’s CEI Hub Risk Analysis. The City has refused to respond to long-standing community concerns about seismic risk, derailments and spills, lack of emergency preparedness, air pollution, and climate justice.
Harlan Shober from Extinction Rebellion testified: "I was in this room when Council voted to ban expanding fossil fuel infrastructure. Then I watched Zenith expand its capacity many times over – all without proper permits. [In 2021], when they needed a Land Use Compatibility Statement, you recognized that their operations don’t fit with Portland’s plan, and you denied the LUCS. Zenith appealed but lost at every legal turn. Then, in what to many felt like a betrayal, you snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and granted Zenith a LUCS based on their promise to convert to renewables in five years. All the evidence and testimony from neighborhood associations, social justice groups, congregations, and climate organizations counted for nothing.”
The only member of the Council not physically present, Commissioner Rubio replied virtually to today’s testimony saying that the City did “not have the authority to rescind the LUCS.” She added that Zenith’s promise to move to renewable energy is “an alignment in the right direction we want to go” despite repeated scientific and public testimony challenging the City’s underlying assumptions about renewables. She did not answer other questions raised in annie's testimony.
A January letter to the council from over 20 climate justice organizations noted: The Land Use Board of Appeals found that Zenith’s 2021 LUCS decision was a “quasi-judicial” decision. As a quasi-judicial decision, the October 2022 LUCS decision should have included public involvement in line with Portland City Code, Chapter 33, Section 730. The letter went on to document that Oregon Administrative Rulings (OAR 340-018-0050) clearly state a local government may withdraw or modify its LUCS any time prior to the issuance of the DEQ air quality permit.
Leaders of the action point to the undemocratic non-responsiveness of the City to public health and safety concerns in two recent back room deals with industry. Renewable diesel has the exact same chemical composition as diesel and poses most of the same risks. Local scientists question the models behind industry claims that renewables will lead to reduced emissions.
“The Scrub the Hub coalition is here today to make sure Portlanders’ worries concerning Zenith’s dangers get the attention they deserve. We are here because we refuse to be ignored. We are here to tell City Council that it doesn’t matter who holds the gavel… listen to the people,” annie capestany concluded in her testimony.
Thanks to all who turned out for this action! Filmmaker Jan Haaken ("Necessity: A Two Part Series on Climate Resistance) joined us with a cameraperson to record the action, and others took photos, a few of which are shared in this newsletter. Please post your photos to your social media accounts, and write a letter to the editor! We will continue to push for what we all need: a safer, cleaner city with much lower emissions, and much higher standards for public involvement in decisions about land use and energy sources.
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Organizer Lynn Handlin holds up a "gavel" prior to going into City Hall.
Thanks to Jan Zuckerman for clever design.
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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Who You Gonna Call?
City of Portland:
Commissioner Rene Gonzalez: 503-823-4151
Commissioner Mingus Mapps: 503-823-4682
Commissioner Carmen Rubio: 503-823-3008
Commissioner Dan Ryan: 503-823-3589
Mayor Wheeler's Comment Line: 503-823-4127
Multnomah County Commissioners:
Jessica Vega Pederson, County Chair: 503-988-3308
Sharon Meieran, District 1: 503-988-5220
Susheela Jayapal, District 2: 503-988-5219
Diane Rosenbaum, District 3: 503- 988-5217
Lori Stegmann, District 4: 503-988-5213
Handy Tip: Put these phone numbers in your cell phone!
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In Case You Missed It!
How will how PCEF’s investments be used to achieve greenhouse gas reductions and promote community benefits that advance racial and social justice? The Climate Investment Plan (CIP) will serve as a framework and will include funding allocations for community responsive grants and strategic initiatives; goals; outcomes, and kinds of organizations eligible to apply for program offerings. Citizen involvement is crucial! For more information and opportunities for input from February 9 - 22, go to https://www.portland.gov/bps/cleanenergy/climate-investment.
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A solid read on the accelerating situation.
(Photo credit: Tri Sanger)
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BOOK REVIEW: NO PLANET B by Tri Sanger
https://xrpdx.org/book-review-no-planet-b/
Excerpt:
No Planet B is an anthology of Teen Vogue articles centering climate. All are written by youth in the years 2016-19, with some additions by the editor, Lucy Diavolo, mid-COVID. They cover a wide array of topics in three main sections: reporting, activism, and intersectionality.
No LUCS for Zenith: Public Testimony to Council
https://xrpdx.org/no-lucs-for-zenith-public-testimony-to-council/
Excerpt:
"... you snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and granted Zenith a LUCS based on their promise to convert to renewables in five years. Why?"
Evergreen:
How To: Write a Letter to the Editor!
https://xrpdx.org/write-a-letter-to-the-editor/
If published, we'll post it to our blog (send to info@xrpdx.org).
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The folks at the TriMet info table in Pioneer Square were very open to our message last August.
The TriMet board should be too! No to higher transit fares!
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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NETWORKING WITH ALLIES
Adapted from article by Ellie Gluhoski of OPAL
The TriMet Board of Directors is voting on a fare increase this May! Hiking fares would make transit less accessible and would disproportionately impact transit-dependent and low-income riders. With less of an incentive for folks to take the bus over driving their cars, our climate and congestion goals would be hindered as ridership plummets even further. Increased fare also equals increased fare enforcement, leading to more folks feeling targeted and unsafe on transit. We will not be silent as decisions about our wellbeing are being made for us, instead of by us.
Please tell TriMet that a fare increase is NOT FAIR. Take a few minutes to complete this survey and give TriMet the feedback that a fare increase is NOT in the interest of this community.
The most powerful tool we have for defeating this vote is giving public comment and sharing our stories at the monthly TriMet Board Meetings. The next one is February 22nd at 9am. Testimony is accepted both in-person and virtually. To give virtual comment, please visit the TriMet website to register before noon on the day before the meeting. Written testimony is also accepted; please send to boardtestimony@trimet.org.
Here are some (optional) talking points for testifying:
- Share your story, make it personal.
- Demand that TriMet find the funds elsewhere.
- Mention inflation and center frontline and transit-dependent workers.
- Demand that TriMet move away from reliance on fare revenue and go fareless.
- Mention safety concerns.
If you have any questions about the talking points above, or if you would benefit from having a more detailed testimony training, please reach out to Ellie Gluhosky, Campaign Organizer, OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon, ellie@opalpdx.org.
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XR Movement-Building: Open House News!
From XR US Chapter Support and Engagement
Thanks to all of you –135 people from all over the country! – who attended the XR US Open House on January 28. (Note from XRPDX: our own annie is now a member of the XR US Media and Messaging Team. Congrats, annie!)
Next Open House: please put Saturday, March 18, on your calendar. We hope to have national meetings every other month, on Saturdays at 11 am West Coast time. Registration link coming soon.
XR on the Radio Dial: XRNOW! our new Extinction Rebellion Radio show can be found on KPFK-FM, KPFK.org, and podcast platforms; it’s produced by XRLA. Shows so far include Scientist Rebellion/AGU, Steven Donziger/Chevron, Esteban Cervat/DebtForClimate, and more. All global XR’s are strongly invited to submit well-produced XR audio content and show ideas to xrnowkpfk@gmail.com, or contact Steven directly at stevenXRLA@gmail.com
Climate Anxiety Group: For more info on this online group mentioned by our Open House facilitator, Lydia of XRPHX (Phoenix, AZ), please email her here: lydia.koltai@gmail.com
XR YOUTH US: Sorry to have missed this first gathering! XRYUS sends all XR’s love and solidarity, and looks forward to joining us at the next online Open House.
XRUK’s New Year’s WE QUIT! announcement, designed to signal a local pause in non-violent direct action and civil disobedience, caused confusion in the global XR network. Multiple local XR’s immediately announcing an ongoing commitment to the principles of NVDA/CD and Noncooperation, including this response from XR-NYC. Decisions to use these tactics have been, and always will be, made by each local XR collective. XR co-founder Claire Farrell of XRUK joined XRNOW! to clarify the importance of this, and her interview can be found here.
Regional Organizing: currently the Extinction Rebellion movement in the US has two very active regions, West and Northeast. To learn more about regional organizing, please contact Chapter Support and Engagement at xrus_chapter_engagement@unitedrebellion.com
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New to Extinction Rebellion? Get to Know Us!
New to Extinction Rebellion? Here's your form to request an introductory presentation and discussion. Hope to see you on Zoom soon!
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A citizen-sea of red in the Council Chamber.
No Zenith t-shirts and testimony!
(Photo credit: Janet Weil)
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Spread the word!
If someone forwarded you this email, please visit https://xrpdx.org/sign-up-form/ to sign up to receive XRPDX newsletters. If you're already signed up, please forward this to someone - help us spread the word. As a reminder, here are XR US's 4 Demands and XR's 10 principles. Also be sure to follow us on social media! - Janet Weil, Editor
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