Key permits secured as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepares federal review
SALEM, OR – Today, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approved NXTClean Fuel’s 401 water permit, confirming that NXTClean’s renewable fuels facility can safely operate within Oregon’s strict environmental protection regulations. This approval concludes the major Oregon state permitting reviews required to make a Final Investment Decision.
“This approval is a pivotal milestone and a giant leap toward bringing a green fuels economy to Oregon,” said Christopher Efird, CEO and Chairperson of NXTClean Fuels. “We are celebrating today and staying focused as we aim for full federal approval later this year.”
Today’s approval is the company’s latest permitting milestone. NXTClean Fuels received state approvals for its removal fill permit and air permit in 2022, and local land use permits in 2024.
NXTClean Fuels is proposing a $2.5 billion clean fuels production facility that will produce up to 50,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. The facility will be strategically located at Port Westward with multi-modal delivery advantages to both international and domestic markets for feedstocks and finished products. Renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel are chemically identical to their fossil-based counterparts but are up to 85 percent cleaner.
State Senator Suzanne Weber and former State Senator Betsy Johnson commented to Oregon DEQ, “From a statewide perspective, increasing the use of renewable fuels will also lead to a decrease in particulate matter that lands on our snowpack and impacts our rivers. As DEQ pursues aggressive strategies to protect these vital water resources, clean fuels play a major role in reaching state climate targets.” Adding, “Each year of operation means a net elimination of more than 7 million tons of fossil fuel carbon dioxide from our air. It means decreased levels of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide above our cities and farmland. It means decreased risk of respiratory diseases throughout our communities. NXTClean Fuels will drive forward the cleaner, greener economy our State is moving toward.”
In addition to the renewable fuels facility, NXTClean will also create 470 acres of enhanced wetlands. When completed, it will be among the largest contiguous wetland restorations in Oregon’s history. These wetlands will further improve the overall groundwater quality in the region and provide new habitat for local wildlife. NXTClean is also collaborating with the Clatskanie School District to bring environmental science curriculums to local schools and use the proposed wetland restoration area as a hands-on learning opportunity.
Throughout the Oregon permitting process, overwhelming support from local and state leaders underpinned the desire for NXTClean Fuels to operate at Port Westward. They were joined by more than 8,000 supporters that participated in public comment periods for the air, water and land use permits.
“It’s incredible to have support at all levels and from all backgrounds – mayors and city councils, county commissioners, state legislators, federal congressional members, businessowners, unions, educators, environmental justice advocates, industry experts and environmentalists,” highlighted Michael Hinrichs, Director of Communications for NXTClean Fuels. “It’s one of the strongest and most diverse coalitions to support a private energy development in Oregon’s history.”
Oregon DEQ received about 900 public comments during the open comment period and roughly 85 percent were in support of the project. Support continues to grow throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“Permitting an energy project in Oregon is not an easy feat,” reflected Mr. Efird. “But I’m proud of our team for designing our project within regulations, presenting a business case that’s sustainable and forward-thinking, and earning the support of community and state leadership.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is overseeing federal permitting and hopes to publish an Environmental Impact Statement in 2025 for public review.
MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Hinrichs
805-453-1346
michael@nxtclean.com
About NXTClean Fuels
NXTClean Fuels is a next-generation fuels company dedicated to sustainably producing clean, low-carbon fuels. The company’s Port Westward project is a 50,000 barrel-per-day / 750 million gallon-per-year Renewable Diesel (“RD”) / Sustainable Aviation Fuel (“SAF”) refinery in Oregon with easy multi-modal access to the West Coast demand markets. The project has secured State of Oregon permits and is advancing through federal permitting. RD and SAF are high-margin liquid transportation fuels worldwide and there is a global demand for increased supply. To learn more about NXTClean Fuels, please visit www.nxtclean.com.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality – 401 Water Permit
Notable Public Comments
It is important to highlight that Oregon DEQ received about 900 public comments and 85 percent of submitted comments were in SUPPORT of NXTClean Fuels.
Oregon Legislative Coastal Caucus
(Sens. Weber, Brock Smith, Anderson; Reps. Javadi, Gomberg, Wright, Boice)
• “NEXT’s operations in Columbia County will be a new economic engine for our coastal communities and the State of Oregon.”
• “Oregon is a leader in the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future, and the NEXT proposal is a key element to meet aggressive state and federal goals to modernize the transportation sector.”
City of Clatskanie (closest city to Port Westward)
• “The City of Clatskanie expresses, in the strongest possible terms, its support of the proposed NEXT Renewable Fuels plant at Port Westward.”
• “NEXT is developing a world-class wetlands project that restores nearly quadruple the amount of impacted wetlands. NEXT plans on turning more than 450 acres of commercial timber property back to a thriving wetland habitat that will benefit adjacent landowners and the region as a whole. It will also quadruple the amount of habitat for wildlife, meaning that it is, without question, a net benefit to local species we love having in our county.”
Oregon Business for Climate (trusted environmental NGO)
• “As more and more Oregon fleets and other diesel users see the environmental benefits of this conversion to renewable diesel, there is a growing and urgent need to increase supply of renewable diesel in Oregon.”
• “Strong climate solutions have the potential to create jobs, spur innovation, save money and build the economic resilience of our communities. The NEXT project brings many of these economic benefits.”
• Full comment letter enclosed below
Clatskanie School Board
• “Bringing NEXT Renewable Fuels to our area will provide our community with 200+ high paying jobs as well as providing sustainable funding to our local taxing districts, and most importantly to us, our school district. We will not have to wait every biennium to see what the Oregon economic forecast is to know what our budget will allow – if teachers can be maintained or laid off, and if exciting new programs can be added or our offerings reduced even further.”
Kathy Engle, former Clatskanie School Board Member
• “NEXT has already proven to us their commitment to furthering the quality of education in our district by suggesting an environmental science curriculum that would include the wetland area, as well as future internships for our students. In the 2023-24 school year, NEXT was the driving corporate partner that returned a long-absent science fair to the district.”
Laurie Maughan, Principal of Clatskanie Middle High School
• “NEXT is going to create a 470-acre wetland as part of its development. This is not only good for our local water and wildlife, but it’s also an asset for our students to have hands-on learning opportunities. Our school district is coordinating with NEXT to develop an environmental science curriculum and use the wetland development to study soil, biodiversity, sustainability, and more.”
Longview Kelso Building Trades Council
• “All too often our skilled tradespeople have to move away to other states to find work, but the construction of this facility will hire more than 3,000 highly-skilled workers, the majority of whom already live in our region and other nearby parts of Oregon and southern Washington.”
Oregon AFL-CIO
• The Oregon AFL-CIO represents 300,000 Oregonians in every sector of the economy and is a proud voice for all workers. The Oregon AFL-CIO supports responsible union development, especially when it helps transition our economy to be less reliant on fossil fuels.”
Oregon Tradeswomen
• “We believe that this project is an opportunity to ensure that women and BIPOC tradesworkers and jobseekers have a chance to have a long-lasting career in the skilled trades and in doing so, have economic security for themselves and their families.”
