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Friday, February 7, 2025

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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Groups challenge proposed refinery near Columbia River

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Wednesday, June 12, 2024   

A lawsuit is challenging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decision not to require a permit for the construction of a new refinery on the Columbia River.

NEXT Renewable Fuels has proposed a refinery for renewable diesel and a rail yard in Port Westward, near Clatskanie, Ore. Columbia Riverkeeper and 1000 Friends of Oregon are challenging the lack of permitting needed for the project.

Audrey Leonard, Columbia Riverkeeper staff attorney, said the construction could threaten levee infrastructure and low-lying farmland nearby.

"The reason that a permit would be required is to just ensure that all that activity doesn't degrade or harm the infrastructure," she explained.

The road could impact levee infrastructure built in 1915 to protect more than 5,700 acres of farmland. Leonard noted that NEXT has said it will need to conduct studies to determine how much weight the road and levee can withstand. The Army Corps of Engineers claims the project will have no impact on the levee.

Leonard added there is concern for a nearby Columbia River estuary as well.

"It's a really important part of the Columbia River, really important for salmon and other fish," she explained, "and essentially, increasing more fuel traffic by barge, feedstock traffic, increases the risk of spill."

In their legal complaint, Columbia Riverkeeper and 1000 Friends of Oregon say the project will destroy 120 acres of wetlands and store more than a million barrels of diesel and aviation fuel near the Columbia River.

Disclosure: Columbia Riverkeeper contributes to our fund for reporting on Endangered Species & Wildlife, Environment, Water. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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