Zenith Announces Carbon Offsets for West Coast Operations
Offsetting Zenith’s 2021 and 2022 emissions in California and Oregon equates to eliminating 15,000 metric tons of Co2, making the facilities carbon neutral.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Zenith Energy, a leading global operator of independent liquid storage terminals, announced today it will offset approximately 7,500 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year for its West Coast operations in Long Beach, California and Portland, Oregon through the purchase of carbon offsets for 2021 and 2022. Zenith’s carbon offset investment will address all three types of its carbon emissions: direct emissions that occur from sources controlled by the company; indirect emissions from the electricity consumed by the company; and indirect emissions that occur in the company’s supply chain.
“Zenith Energy is committed to reducing carbon emissions, facilitating energy transition and addressing climate change,” said Zenith Energy CEO Jeff Armstrong. “We believe in doing the right thing for the environment, which is why we are making these voluntary investments. Our goal is for all our operations to be carbon neutral in 2022. We can do this immediately through our investment in carbon offset credits while we continue to improve our existing infrastructure to reduce our onsite emissions and by storing more renewable fuels.”
Carbon offsets can be purchased on voluntary markets facilitated by third-party certification programs that establish guidance, standards and requirements for offset providers. Offset purchases financially support projects that reduce greenhouse gases, such as renewable energy or energy efficiency.
Last year, Zenith announced a major increase in the storage of low carbon, renewable diesel at its Portland facility, which is currently 20% renewable fuels and could be 100% renewable fuels in just five years with permit approvals. Renewable fuels emit 80% less carbon than traditional fossil fuels, providing a significant boost to Oregon’s goal of reducing emissions in the transportation sector.
By lowering its greenhouse gas emissions and energy intensity 66% in just two years, Zenith’s Portland Terminal earned recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a 2022 Energy Star Challenge for Industry Award.