Climate and energy
Council decisions about climate and energy: 9 decisions. Map ›
October 2026
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Council opposes laws that would block climate lawsuits against oil companies
This resolution states that Portland opposes any federal or state law that would shield fossil fuel companies from lawsuits over climate change costs. It also says Portland supports the right of cities, counties, tribes and states to sue or pass laws to hold those companies responsible for climate harms. A resolution is a formal statement of the council's position; this one does not file a lawsuit or spend money.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Adopted, 11 to 0. Councilor Zimmerman was absent. · District 3
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Council weighs rule to cut fuel storage in quake-risk Northwest Portland area
This proposed law would require the 11 large fuel terminals in a six-mile area along the Willamette River in northwest Portland to cut their fuel storage space by at least 20 percent by December 1, 2036. The area, called the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub, holds or moves more than 90 percent of Oregon's liquid fuel and sits on soil that could turn loose in a major earthquake, which could make tanks fail and spill fuel. Terminals would have to report how much they store, and tanks used only for jet fuel, regulated utilities like NW Natural, and certain pipeline tanks would be exempt.
City of Portland · October 7, 2026 · Council made two changes and delayed a final vote. The change called Novick 4 passed 8 to 4. The change called Kanal 2 passed 10 to 2. Two other proposed changes were withdrawn. The item was continued to November 5, 2026. · District 2, District 3, District 4
September 2026
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Council changes fuel terminal safety rules, delays final vote to November
This plan sets new rules for the 11 large fuel storage sites in the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub, a six-mile stretch along the Willamette River in northwest Portland. More than 90 percent of Oregon's liquid fuel passes through these sites, and many tanks could fail in a major earthquake. The rules would limit how much more fuel the sites can store, require new tanks to meet the highest earthquake standards, and require city review before sites can expand fuel transfer equipment or add up to 5 percent more storage for aviation fuel.
City of Portland · September 30, 2026 · Council approved one set of changes, 12 to 0. A second set of changes failed, 5 to 7. The final vote was delayed to November 5, 2026. · District 3, District 4
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Council changes fuel tank cutback rules, delays final vote to October 7
This proposed law would require the 11 large fuel storage sites in northwest Portland's Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub to cut their storage capacity by at least 20 percent by December 1, 2036. The area sits on soil that could turn loose in a major earthquake, so tanks could fail and spill fuel. Fuel sites would have to report what they store, and they could face fines for breaking the rules.
City of Portland · September 30, 2026 · Not final yet. Council added four changes, 10 to 2: a direction to study other approaches, inventory and reporting rules, penalties, and continued talks with the public and industry. A change to remove the exemption for airplane fuel tanks failed on a 6 to 6 tie. Another proposed change from Councilor Novick was offered but not voted on. The item was continued to October 7, 2026. · District 2, District 3, District 4
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Council lets new owner take over Zenith's fuel pipeline permit
Zenith Energy is selling its Portland fuel terminal to ISQ Springer Holdings. This ordinance lets Zenith hand over its franchise, the city permission to run a petroleum and renewable fuel pipeline under a limited part of city streets, to the buyer. The terms stay the same, and ISQ must follow all the same duties, including insurance and bonds.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Passed after a reconsideration vote. The council tied 6 to 6, and Mayor Wilson cast the deciding yes vote, making it 7 to 6.
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Council weighs new limits on fuel storage in northwest Portland
This would further limit how much fuel the 11 existing fuel terminals in the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub can store. The Hub is a six-mile strip along the Willamette River where most of Oregon's fuel is stored, on soil that can turn soft in a big earthquake. New tanks would have to meet the highest earthquake safety standards, and expanding fuel transfer equipment or adding a small amount of jet fuel storage (up to 5 percent per terminal) would need a special city review.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Continued to October 1, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Spoken testimony is closed. Written testimony is accepted until October 1, 2026 at 12:00 pm. · District 3, District 4
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Council weighs cutting fuel storage at northwest Portland fuel tank hub
This proposed law would require the 11 big fuel terminals in the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub, a six-mile stretch along the Willamette River in northwest Portland, to cut their fuel storage capacity by at least 20 percent by December 1, 2036. The goal is to lower the danger of tanks failing and spilling fuel in a major earthquake. Tanks used only for aviation fuel, regulated public utilities like NW Natural, and certain pipeline tanks would not have to cut.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Not voted on yet. The spoken testimony part is closed, and Council continued the item to October 1, 2026 at 2:00 pm. · District 2, District 3, District 4
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Council rejects transfer of fuel pipeline permit to Zenith's buyer
Zenith Energy is selling its Portland fuel terminal to ISQ Springer Holdings. Zenith holds a franchise, which is city permission to run a petroleum pipeline under a limited part of city streets. This ordinance would have let the new owner take over that franchise with the same terms, fees and duties.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Failed, 5 to 6, with one member absent. A motion to reconsider the vote is still pending. The council voted 8 to 4 to put off the vote on reconsidering until next week.
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Council asks city leaders to keep data center deals public
The council asks the City Administrator and other city leaders not to sign secret agreements (non-disclosure agreements) about data centers. It asks that the council be told when anyone seeks early meetings or permits for a data center using 20 megawatts of power or more. It also says the council plans to pursue a pause or zoning limits on very large "hyperscale" data centers as soon as possible.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0, with Councilor Smith absent. A proposed change by Councilor Zimmerman failed, 4 to 7.