The Oregon Division of Environmental High quality (DEQ) has denied NEXT Renewables LLC’s software for a Clear Water Act allow.
“We’re disillusioned in Oregon DEQ’s lack of ability to course of our Part 401 water certification inside their statutory timeline of a 12 months, however we are going to hold working with them as we refile and begin the allowing clock as soon as once more,” NEXT Director of Communication Michael Hinrichs informed The Chief. “This isn’t in any respect a roadblock, however relatively an pointless distraction to the allowing course of as we advance towards full venture approval. Our venture timeline stays unchanged.”
Hinrichs stated NEXT Renewables is dedicated to setting up and working a cornerstone clear fuels manufacturing facility at Port Westward that may produce Renewable Diesel and Sustainable Aviation Gasoline.
“Research present that utilizing NEXT clear fuels as a substitute of petroleum fuels will get rid of greater than 7 million tons of greenhouses gases yearly of operation, whereas creating 1000’s of union building jobs and a whole bunch of everlasting positions,” he stated.
A key opponent of the proposed NEXT Renewable Fuels facility is the environmental watchdog group, Columbia Riverkeeper, which issued the next assertion concerning the DEQ resolution.
On September 6, 2022, the Oregon Division of Environmental High quality (DEQ) denied NEXT Renewables LLC’s (NEXT) software for a Clear Water Act part 401 water high quality allow. NEXT sought the allow as a part of a plan to construct a so-called “renewable” diesel refinery close to Clatskanie, OR.
DEQ denied the allow as a result of NEXT was unable to reply primary questions concerning the proposed diesel refinery and its results on water high quality. Columbia Riverkeeper’s public information request revealed that DEQ despatched NEXT a letter containing over six pages of questions and clarifications in August of 2022.
“NEXT’s software supplies have been riddled with inconsistencies, and NEXT was apparently unable to reply even DEQ’s primary questions,” stated Audrey Leonard, Employees Lawyer at Columbia Riverkeeper. “Between this allow denial and fierce opposition from neighboring farmers, the way forward for NEXT’s controversial proposal is much from sure.”
That is really the second time DEQ has denied NEXT’s water high quality allow software. DEQ denied NEXT’s first software in September 2021, additionally citing NEXT’s failure to offer vital particulars concerning the proposed refinery and its potential water air pollution.
“NEXT hasn’t been capable of inform a straight story to the neighborhood or to DEQ. DEQ was proper to disclaim this allow,” stated Jasmine Lillich, a neighborhood farmer and fifth-generation resident of the Clatskanie space. “Our neighborhood would face the chance of serious water air pollution that might hurt our well being, our properties and our farms, and we stand agency with lots of our neighbors in opposition to this venture.”
DEQ denied the NEXT’s software “with out prejudice,” that means NEXT might apply a 3rd time. That course of might take one other 12 months to finish.
What’s subsequent? Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals will quickly decide whether or not NEXT can construct a 400-car railyard in a delicate wetland and agricultural space. A call is anticipated on or earlier than October 7, 2022.
The Oregon Division of Environmental High quality has permitted a required air high quality allow fo…
Observe developments with this story at thechiefnews.com and within the Friday print editions of The Chief.
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