SB1567-CEI-Hub

Alan R.P. Journet Ph.D.
Cofacilitator,
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now
7113 Griffin Lane
Jacksonville OR 97530-9342
alan@socan.eco
541-301-4107
February 8^th 2022

Chair Lieber and Members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment

I write as co-facilitator of Southern Oregon Climate Action Now on behalf of the over 1600 rural Southern Oregonians who are SOCAN. Our mission is to promote awareness and understanding of the science of global warming and its climate change consequences and motivate individual and collective action to address the resulting climate crisis.

While the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub in Portland is far from Southern Oregon, the fact that 90% of fossil fuels pass through or are stored in that region manes this facility is critical for all of Oregon.  While the main focus of SOCAN is encouraging a switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy, we also do not wish to encourage actions that allow massive fossil fuel explosions or spills. In this context, it is worth recalling that the Cascadia Subduction One earthquake is considered by seismologists to be long overdue.  The location of the CEI Hub on clay, which is likely to undergo liquefaction, means that a disaster is inevitable when that earthquake occurs.  That disaster will result in millions of escaped gallons of fuel and emissions of vast amounts of greenhouse gas.

It is little surprise that the Western States Petroleum Association opposes the imposition of standards that would establish a modicum of defense or protection against this inevitable event.  Of course, it is little surprise that the WSPA opposes standards since this organization represents the same industry that for years has denied the science of climate change and the responsibility of fossil fuels for that process.

It is clearly insane to continue allowing a facility such as the CEI Hub to continue operating without imposing standards.  The fossil fuel industry is the perfect example of an irresponsible industry that demands legislators impose regulations.  Clearly, the bulk of fossil fuel companies will not voluntarily follow best practices.  For these reasons, Southern Oregon Climate Action Now endorses SB1567.

Respectfully submitted

Alan Journet Ph.D.
Cofacilitator
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now