Zenith Energy Terminal Holdings, LLC is a fuel products transloading facility. The company accepts crude oil, diesel, renewable fuels and other fuel products from one mode of transportation, like railcars, and passes them along to another, such as marine vessels. In the interim, fuel products are stored at the facility in above-ground tanks. Zenith Energy is located at 5501 NW Front Avenue in northwest Portland.
Current status of Zenith Energy's Air Quality Permit
DEQ approved Zenith’s air quality permit, officially called a Standard Air Contaminant Discharge Permit, on Oct. 9, 2025. This follows an extensive evaluation of Zenith’s air quality permit application and comments submitted during the public comment period. The permit reflects all applicable air quality regulations as enforceable conditions that Zenith will be accountable for. Some of those conditions include:
- Stricter emissions limits for all regulated pollutants, including a near 80% reduction in allowable emissions of volatile organic compounds.
- New emissions limits for pollutants that were not regulated under Zenith’s Title V permit.
- Prohibition of handling crude oil starting Oct. 3, 2027.
- Restricting new infrastructure for loading and unloading only renewable fuels, jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuel, sustainable aviation fuel jet fuel blends and non-fuel products.
State law and rules require DEQ to process a complete permit application and issue the permit when a facility’s application meets all applicable legal requirements. DEQ is charged with making a permitting decision that includes all applicable requirements associated with the facility. Permit requirements must have basis in rule, and DEQ cannot impose more or less stringent requirements on a facility without this regulatory basis.
Public involvement
DEQ held a 69-day public comment period between April 7 – June 15, 2025. This included two public hearings. DEQ also hosted three public information meetings in 2024 to share information about the proposed air quality permit and how DEQ regulates Zenith.
DEQ's response to comments start on page 99 of 172 of the
issued air quality permit packet.
Public hearings
DEQ held two public hearings, the first on May 12, and a second virtual meeting on May 15, 2025.
The same presentation was shared at both meetings.
If you would like a copy of the full recording for either meeting, including public comments, please email
michael.loch@deq.oregon.gov
Public information meetings
DEQ held a virtual public information meeting on Dec. 16, 2024 to share information and answer questions about the agency's decisions to pause Zenith's air quality permitting process, request a LUCS and issue an enforcement order.
DEQ also held virtual public information meetings on April 17, 2024 and Oct. 28, 2024 to share information and answer questions about how DEQ regulates the Zenith Energy terminal. The audience heard from DEQ's Air Quality Permitting program, Cleaner Air Oregon program, Fuel Tank Seismic Stability program, Emergency Response program on spill preparedness and Office of Compliance and Enforcement. DEQ also shared information about Zenith's draft Air Contaminant Discharge Permit and application.
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Air quality permit
Current status
DEQ approved Zenith’s application for a Standard Air Contaminant Discharge Permit on Oct. 9, 2025. This follows an extensive evaluation of Zenith’s air quality permit application and comments submitted during the public comment period.The permit applies all applicable air quality regulationsas enforceable conditions that Zenith will be accountable for.
Permit documents
Permit application
Following the City's approval of Zenith's Land Use Compatibility Statement in 2022, Zenith submitted an air quality permit application to DEQ. See Zenith's permit application materials below and
learn more about DEQ's air quality permitting.
Note: DEQ cannot overturn a Land Use Compatibility Statement, which allows Zenith to operate at its terminal. That would either have to happen at the City of Portland or through the Land Use Board of Appeals or other court of law. See the FAQs below for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Contact
For media inquiries:
Michael Loch
Office of Communications and Outreach
503-737-9435