NXTClean Fuels receives Oregon water-permit approval for $2.5 billion renewable diesel, SAF facility

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality approved NXTClean Fuel’s 401 water permit Jan. 7, 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.

“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.”

The Jan. 7 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 (2.1 million gallons) per day of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The facility will be strategically located at Port Westward with multimodal delivery advantages to both international and domestic markets for feedstocks and finished products.

Renewable diesel and SAF are chemically identical to their fossil-based counterparts but are up to 85 percent cleaner.

State Sen. Suzanne Weber and former State Sen. 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.”

They added, “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, according to the company.

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,” said Michael Hinrichs, the 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, the company noted.

“Permitting an energy project in Oregon is not an easy feat,” Efird said. “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 anticipates publishing an environmental-impact statement in 2025 for public review.