Proposed Draft
The Proposed Draft of the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub Policy Project builds off a robust community engagement process and proposes policy, zoning code and other regulatory amendments. This proposal will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission during a public hearing on Dec. 16, 2025.
The proposed amendments will further limit capacity expansion at the CEI Hub. New regulations will require a 20 percent reduction of fuel storage capacity by 2036. These amendments include revisions to Comprehensive Plan Policies, the zoning code, Title 17, and Title 24, which all serve different purposes:
- Comprehensive Plan Amendments: The new and revised Comprehensive Plan policies would establish a framework for long-term citywide actions related to the CEI Hub
- Title 33, Planning and Zoning, Amendments: The zoning code amendments would regulate future development at the CEI Hub and would be triggered when terminal owners/operators apply for a permit
- Title 17, Public Improvements, Amendments: The Title 17 amendments would establish a program to implement and enforce the drawdown requirement
- Title 24, Building Code, Amendments: The Title 24 amendments would require a building permit for structural support of piping.
Appendix A: Community Engagement Overview
Appendix B: Storage Capacity Inventory Methodology
Appendix C: Parametrix CEI Hub Fuel Modeling Results and Methodology
Submit testimony
The Proposed Draft will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission during an upcoming hearing on Dec. 16. Two ways to submit testimony to the Planning Commission:
- Submit written testimony through the project's Map App by Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m.
- Give oral testimony at the hearing. Pre-register to provide oral testimony by Monday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m.
Learn more about the proposed amendments
Frequently asked questions
How did community engagement inform the proposed amendments?
During the Discussion Draft phase, project staff received 850 written comments in response to the four alternatives that were presented. These alternatives ranged from unlimited expansions for aviation and renewable fuels, to a requirement to reduce storage capacity by 17 percent for all fuel types.
The amendments presented in the Proposed Draft combine elements from the various Discussion Draft alternatives and reflect the public support for storage capacity reductions as an important step for risk reduction.
Why recommend a 20 percent drawdown requirement?
Project staff contracted with Parametrix consulting to produce four fuel demand scenarios that account for different levels of policy and regulation, changing technology, and population increase.
The 20 percent drawdown requirement is based off the "delayed progress" scenario that assumes delays in key policy targets – such as the rate of electrification – due to market and policy uncertainties.
The results of this study are detailed in Appendix C.
Why propose a 2036 timeline for the drawdown requirement?
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is implementing a Fuel Tank Seismic Stability Program that requires large-capacity oil and fuel distributers to conduct seismic retrofits on their facilities.
The 2036 drawdown timeline aligns with DEQ's estimated timeline for facilities to complete the seismic upgrades, allowing facilities to account for both the seismic upgrade investments and the drawdown requirement as part of their long-term planning.
Why not relocate the CEI Hub?
Relocating the CEI Hub is not within the scope of the current project. There are no safer possible locations within Portland – as most of Portland's industrial districts are similarly located in areas with high liquefaction risk.
Implementing a program to relocate the CEI Hub outside of Portland is beyond the City's authority. It would require a state-led initiative with extensive coordination across state, regional, and local government.
No policies or regulations adopted as part of this project will interfere or preclude future efforts to relocate the CEI Hub. The proposed project provides foundation for longer-term coordination efforts on CEI Hub planning and risk reduction. State legislation in support of these longer-term coordination efforts has been proposed in past state legislative sessions but no bills were passed.
Why allow fuel storage capacity transfers?
The proposal allows for fuel storage capacity transfers from one site to another through a land use review. The amount being transferred would be reduced by 20 percent and any remaining onsite fuel would additionally be subject to the drawdown requirement.
The intent of the transfer allowance is to prevent abrupt losses in needed storage capacity if a terminal decides to cease operations. The receiving terminal must demonstrate the need for the transferred capacity and the transfer must result in safety improvements for both sites.
How does the proposal improve seismic safety?
This proposal improves seismic safety in a number of ways:
- Prohibits the expansion and requires a reduction of fuel storage capacity for all fuel types,
- Requires any development activity resulting from tank replacements or repairs and transloading expansions to meet higher seismic safety standards,
- Requires new fuel tanks with higher seismic safety standards for fuel capacity transfers,
- Promotes long-term regional collaboration on mitigation planning and emergency management at the CEI Hub,
- Complements – and in some cases may accelerate – the seismic retrofits as required by DEQ.
Other project documents
View Discussion Draft materials