More than 7,000 Comments, Letters Support Clean Fuels Project in Oregon

June 10, 2022

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(Next Renewable Fuels/Biobased Diesel Daily) More than 7,000 public comments and letters were submitted to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality urging the agency to approve the air permit for Next Renewable Fuels. Comments revealed a groundswell of support for Next and its proposal to build a renewable diesel production facility at Port Westward.

In its draft permit, ODEQ stated “Next Renewable Fuels Oregon LLC is not a major source of EPA-listed hazardous air pollutants” and “DEQ has concluded the potential emissions meet health-risk standards for the community and do not require additional controls to be protective of public health.”

In 2021, ODEQ adopted the Climate Protection Plan, which clearly calls out renewable diesel as a beneficial and necessary green alternative fuel to replace petroleum diesel. Renewable diesel is 60 to 80 times cleaner than petroleum diesel and will drastically decrease particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide in the air. Communities throughout Oregon will benefit from decreased toxic emissions, especially vulnerable communities adjacent to transportation corridors.

“A green fuels project like this is a clear win for Oregonians and workers at all levels who want to be part of the climate-change solution,” said Paul Philpott, a local union carpenter who rallied hundreds of Columbia County residents to voice their support. “Using renewable diesel in things like construction equipment would be a quantifiable improvement for the health of workers who spend their careers around diesel equipment.”

Supporters span across diverse backgrounds—elected officials, environmentalists, union members, community leaders, environmental-justice advocates, agency directors and business owners. Their comments and letters of support about the project highlight the minimal environmental footprint and the transformative opportunity to combat the climate crisis, specifically the important role renewable diesel can play in reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

“The time for climate action is now, and the tsunami of support is a clear proof point that Oregonians are ready to be on the forefront of a green energy future,” said Chris Efird, chief information officer and chairperson of Next Renewable Fuels.

The ODEQ air permit is the last state-permitting hurdle for the project. Next has already received all county land-use approvals and its Oregon Department of State Lands Removal Fill permit. Next’s proposal is currently under federal environmental review as it advances toward full project approval. READ MORE

Next Renewable Fuels project endorsed by unions, labor groups (Biomass Magazine/Next Renewable Fuels)

NEXT Renewable Fuels Receives Milestone Air Permit Approval (NEXT Renewable Fuels)

Oregon renewable diesel project receives state air-quality permit (Biobased Diesel Daily)

Excerpt from Biomass Magazine/Next Renewable Fuels: Across the state of Oregon, labor organizers and unions have rallied together to endorse Next Renewable Fuels’ proposed $2 billion renewable diesel project at Port Westward. The project’s goals directly align with key federal initiatives to create good-paying, union jobs, to build modern and sustainable infrastructure, and to chart the US towards an equitable, clean energy future. Specifically, Next expects to create more than 3,500 green jobs during construction, and 240 permanent green jobs during operation in Columbia County.

“This is a priority green project for the state,” said Willy Myers, Executive Secretary-Treasurer at Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council. “These aren’t just jobs, these are career opportunities in the growing green fuels industry, something our union members are eager and proud to be at the forefront of here in Oregon,” he continued.

Supporters of the project from the organized labor sector in Oregon include:

•Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council

•Oregon State BTC

•Northwest Council of Carpenters

•UFCW Local 555

•Oregon AFL-CIO

•Longview Kelso BTC

•Salem BTC

•Lane-Coos-Curry-Douglas BTC

•Southern Oregon BTC

•Central Oregon BTC

•Pendleton BTC

•Northwest Oregon Labor Council

Next has signed both a Letter of Understanding with the Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council and NW Regional Council of Carpenters, and a Neutrality Agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, to ensure local and union hiring are prioritized, proof points in Next’s commitment to workers.

“The benefits of prioritizing local hiring and using skilled union labor to build this cornerstone project goes beyond jobs,” said Chris Efird, CEO and chairperson of Next Renewable Fuels. “It’s about building a sustainable community and economy that is also environmentally sound.”

The climate benefits of renewable diesel, which burns 60-80 percent cleaner than fossil fuel diesel, and the added environmental benefit of nearly 500 acres in wetland restoration are also central reasons for the pronounced labor support of the project.

“Our members live along major transportation corridors and many work around diesel equipment day in and day out, so this project will directly benefit their health and well being,” said Paul Philpott, member engagement representative of the Northwest Carpenters Union. “We believe cleaner, greener, renewable fuels must be part of the climate change solution and are excited to see NEXT going above and beyond to become a cornerstone of our community and a true partner of working families."

Full project details can be found at www.nextrenewables.com. READ MORE

Excerpt from NEXT Renewable Fuels: The air permit was awarded after ODEQ performed an exhaustive 18-month review. The extended review period included a host of new and novel requirements that NEXT worked to meet and exceed. As such, ODEQ acknowledged that the NEXT facility does not have an appreciable impact on local air resources.

In its approval, agency leadership stated, "NEXT Renewable Fuels Oregon, LLC is not a major source of EPA-listed hazardous air pollutants," and "DEQ has concluded the potential emissions meet health risk standards for the community and do not require additional controls to be protective of public health."

The NEXT project is a tangible investment in making Oregon's climate protection goals a reality, especially because it is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7 million tons each year. ODEQ has stated that "using renewable diesel can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions up to 85%." With no need for engine modification, renewable diesel creates an immediate environmental and human health benefit while curbing reliance on fossil fuels.

"It's imperative that we transition away from fossil fuels towards a cleaner fuels economy as quickly as possible," emphasized Chris Efird, NEXT CEO and Chairperson. "Our project accelerates green job creation and helps Oregon reach its aggressive decarbonization goals."

Efird's comments echo those of ODEQ Director Richard Whitman, who wrote a guest editorial in the Oregonian highlighting how "renewable fuels production and refining are burgeoning industries in Oregon creating hundreds of new, high paying jobs."

NEXT's facility is expected to create 3,500 green jobs during construction and 240 long-term green jobs during operation. Forecasts show that the facility will generate more than $45 million in annual tax revenue for the State of Oregon and Columbia County. Tax revenues could be used for public safety, education, infrastructure, libraries, and other public services.

NEXT has already received county land use approvals and an Oregon Department of State Lands Removal Fill permit. The company continues advancing through the National Environmental Policy Act process overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For more information on the clean fuels project, visit www.nextrenewables.com. READ MORE