By Darise Weller
A coalition of organizations continues to push for financial assurances, also called risk bonds, to hold oil and gas tank farm companies within Portland’s Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub accountable to reduce risks and provide up-front funds to pay for clean-up and damages in case of natural disasters.
We’ll discuss the risks we face from the tanks in a disaster at the Wednesday, October 1, Linnton neighborhood meeting and what we want addressed in proposed legislation.
Senator Michael Dembrow, District 23, championed 2022’s Senate Bill 1567 creating a framework for reducing seismic risks at large fuel terminals. The bill, which our Neighborhood Association endorsed, was a first step towards protecting against environmental damage and infrastructure failure during a major earthquake.
Rep Thuy Tran, District 45, was the sponsor during 2025 for four House bills in the Ways and Means committee addressing the CEI Hub. Two of those bills passed out of committee and will come up at the House of Representatives short session in Feb. 2026.
caption: Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub tank farms located in Linnton. Photo: City of Portland.
Advocates have developed principles to ensure future related bills will adequately protect us against worst-case scenarios. Examples include expanding covered risks against all possible accidents – such as spills, fires, or explosions.
Other principles sought include incentives for safety, secure and ready funds – such as risk bonds, and showing evidence that each tank owner has at least $300m secured, along with penalties if they do not follow the rules.
Linnton residents are encouraged to get involved by learning more and encouraging their legislators to support this effort. We want Linnton’s Representative, Shannon Isadore, District 33, to sign on as a sponsor of this legislation.
To get involved contact Darise Weller at dweller972@comcast.net.
You can contact Linnton’s State Representative, Shannon Isadore, at 503-986-1433 or Rep.ShannonIsadore@oregonlegislature.gov
To learn more about the principles organizers are advocating for – https://tinyurl.com/46wy3hnf