Point Westward response

To The Eagle,

The MOST important issue, left unmentioned, is DEQ, despite its promise to uphold the Clean Water Act, has permitted NEXT to release toxic discharge that would “degrade” (a nice word for destroy) fish habitat and pollute tidal waters used for irrigating food crops, fishing, and recreation. This major hit to tribal resources, which DEQ is ignoring, and disregard for the farming and fishing communities that feed us, is just one major flaw DEQ is sidestepping. NEXT’s permit flies in the face of what Betsy Johnson calls, “the cleaner, greener economy our state is moving towards,” and even what environmentalists (and our governor) could call “green energy.” Furthermore, in perpetuating the greenwashing of “renewable diesel,” industry-parroted claims that it would be “made from organic and plant waste” is a fallacy. NEXT has historically altered their feedstock proposals to meet popular demand, but none of them are “green”, unless you consider the miniscule percentage of Used Cooking Oil that, as NEXT’s CEO said, would need to be harvested “one wok at a time” in referencing there really is no viable market that could reach Port Westward. Instead, NEXT would predominantly rail in GMO corn, soy and animal fat from Concentrated Animal Feed Operations (CAFOs) that force-feed these same GMO crops, depending on a legacy of Glyphosate-heavy, soil-degrading big Ag practices that are destroying water, soil, human and animal health. Proven facts friends, that DEQ continues to ignore, among other issues like a lack of a major spill containment plan, contradictory permits that cancel each other’s stipulations, and massive administrative oversights that “kick the can” to the next agency without prerequisite follow-up. NEXT has piecemealed their permissions, without a single agency to account for the whole story and all its discrepancies. It is now up to our community to end this time-wasting, economy-draining exercise through good standing and honorable notices, which should tell you something about our elected officials and regulatory agencies. Unlike local and state “leaders,” we say NO to NEXT because jobs and economy should not come at the expense of health and natural resources.

Brandon Schilling

Clatskanie, Oregon