QuickTake:
As part of its approval, Lane Regional Air Protection Agency will require the facility to implement parking restrictions and phase in electric vehicles to moderate air pollution.
The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency approved an indirect air pollution permit for the e-commerce facility planned near the Eugene Airport off of Highway 99.
The facility, expected to be more than 300,000 square feet, requires an indirect air pollution permit from LRAPA due to the significant vehicle traffic that will come in and out of the facility. Based on estimates, the facility would add 2,592 trips per day to Highway 99 and include an additional 1,357 parking spaces for its employees and delivery vehicles.
While LRAPA does not have the power to deny applications for permits, the agency can add restrictions to help maintain air quality.
In this case, the agency approved the permit under the condition that the e-commerce facility has no more than 1,000 total combustion vehicle spaces available at any time. The facility must also implement electric vehicles into its delivery fleet over the next decade, mandating that 25% of its fleet consist of EVs by the year 1, 40% by the year 5, and 70% by year 10.
Even with these mandates, Ruth Wren, an organizer with Indivisible Eugene, continues to oppose LRAPA’s decision.
“I was very disappointed, although I can’t say I was surprised,” Wren said. “I know LRAPA is a pretty conservative body, but their lack of responsiveness to the public’s concerns is really disappointing.”
LRAPA did not immediately respond to Lookout Eugene-Springfield’s request for comment.
Since the facility’s original indirect source pollution permit application was made public, LRAPA has heard significant opposition. In an opportunity for public feedback, LRAPA received 269 negative comments. The messages ranged from phone calls and emails to handwritten notes expressing opposition to the facility’s construction and asking the agency to deny the facility’s permit request.
A minority, 11 comments, expressed support for the distribution center, citing business and job opportunities. Eugene Young Professionals, a local advocacy group that’s part of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, was one of the organizations commenting in favor.
“The support came from the need for new jobs in our area,” said Joe Liebersbach, director of Eugene Young Professionals. “If we’re turning new businesses away from investing in our area, then that’s not going to be very prosperous for our future.”
Liebersbach also believes that with the electric vehicle requirements and LRAPA’s oversight, environmental protection will remain a priority.
“I want our community to know that it is not mutually exclusive to be pro business and pro sustainability,” he said.
