Zenith Energy, Portland's notorious climate villain, is trying to quietly sneak out of town by selling its dangerous facility to I Squared Capital, an international private equity firm worth $60 billion in worldwide assets. Given the history of City officials breaking laws and straying from established processes to protect Zenith, and the immense dangers the Zenith facility poses to our region, Portlanders deserve more information, transparency, and a thorough investigation of this business deal, specifically the transfer of Zenith’s “franchise agreement” (a legal contract that would grant I Squared a license to operate in a public right of way) to I Squared.

Throughout this process so far, City Council has caved to the demands and threats of the fossil fuel industry rather than working to protect Portlanders. City attorneys changed the rules of how many votes are needed for this item to pass in the middle of the process, a move that is likely illegal. Documents were kept hidden from the public before voting occurred and decisions were rushed while Council was out on recess. This process is ridden with examples of the City favoring these fossil companies while betraying the people of Portland. We've had enough.

Let City Council know you're concerned about this process and demand public input, transparency, and accountability. City Council must not grant any franchise agreement unless they are able to assure it won’t cause more harm to the public, whether by requiring third party enforcement, or creating a legal requirement that bans expansion of the facility before new policies around the CEI Hub are passed.