Planning Commission recommends proposal to limit fuel storage expansion at the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub to City Council

On March 10, Portland's Planning Commission voted to forward its recommendation on the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub Policy Project to City Council for its consideration. The Commission's vote comes after receiving extensive public testimony on the Proposed Draft during a Dec. 16 public hearing and an extended public comment period. The Commission deliberated on the proposal in a series of work sessions in January and February.

The CEI Hub Policy Project aims to reduce risk in the CEI Hub, which is located near the Willamette River in Northwest Portland, in the event of an accident or earthquake and support safety at Bulk Fuel Terminals in the area. The recommended Comprehensive Plan policy and Zoning Code amendments will limit expansions at existing fuel terminals and regulate transloading facilities.

Planning Commission decision

The Planning Commission considered over 200 verbal and written testimonies from the public and many aspects of the proposal and related context, including the state's Fuel Tank Seismic Stability program, fuel demand forecasts, and seismic standards for fuel facilities at the CEI Hub.

The Commission adopted amendments that strengthened and clarified several elements in the proposed draft to further support risk reduction, including:

• New and revised Comprehensive Plan policies
• Revised development standards for transloading facilities, which are facilities where fuel is transferred from one mode of transportation to another, such as from a storage tank to a truck
• New and revised approval criteria for the storage tank capacity transfer and transloading expansion discretionary reviews

The Planning Commission also adopted an amendment to allow a limited 5% expansion for aviation fuel, including sustainable aviation fuel, with a discretionary land use review. While there was some reluctance to support any fuel expansion, it was acknowledged that aviation fuel is the sole sector where demand is expected to grow and where there are no other foreseeable fuel alternatives, such as electrification.

Next steps

Next, the project will head to City Council in the form of a Recommended Draft for public hearings in late summer / early fall 2026. After considering public testimony, City Council will deliberate and consider any potential changes to the Commission's Recommended Draft before voting to adopt the proposal.

Stay tuned for updates on the release of the Recommended Draft and opportunities to submit testimony at future City Council hearings.

Watch the March 10, 2026 Planning Commission work session