Who is Global Partners?
Based in Waltham, Mass., Global Partners is a leading distributor of petroleum products and renewable fuels. We own, control or have access to bulk storage facilities in nine states, carrying a storage capacity of 12.2 million barrels. Though mostly located in the Northeast, Global’s terminals in North Dakota and here in Oregon extend our reach across the United States and Canada.
Global’s story begins with a family and a single truck delivering heating oil during the Great Depression. Read more about Abraham Slifka, Slifky’s Reliable Oil Burner Service Co. and the Global Partners story.
When did Global locate in Clatskanie?
Global purchased the terminal in 2013. Cascade Grain Products opened the site, home to one of the largest ethanol manufacturing facilities on the West Coast, in 2008. Since acquiring the site, Global has invested more than $21 million on various infrastructure upgrades, including safety and efficiency improvements — including $13 million ($2 million of that from ConnectOregon) for a new berth publicly owned by the Port.
What does Global do at the Clatskanie Terminal?
In 2020, Global started moving Renewable Diesel through the Clatskanie Terminal. The fuel arrives by rail and is transloaded to ships and barges using existing infrastructure. Global is also approved to move ethanol and crude oil.
What is renewable diesel?
Renewable diesel fuel is similar to conventional diesel fuel in terms of how it’s used. However, rather than being derived from petroleum, renewable diesel comes from plant oils and animal fats. It can help reduce greenhouse emissions and help meet state and federal climate standards. Learn more about renewable diesel here.
What is ethanol?
Otherwise known as ethyl alcohol, ethanol is a colorless compound primarily derived from corn, but it can be made from any plant containing starch. Ethanol is a clear burning fuel source that is primarily blended in gasoline to reduce net emission of greenhouse gases.
Will Global restart ethanol manufacturing at the facility?
Global continues to pursue opportunities to restart ethanol production at Port Westward and put the asset to work producing jobs in Columbia County.
How much product moves through the terminal?
Global Clatskanie is capped at 1.8 billion gallons of annual throughput by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
What is the maximum number of unit trains Global can receive in a month?
Currently the facility is capped by the Port of St Helens at 24 trains per month, until rail upgrades have been secured in Columbia County. Upon guarantee of the rail upgrades, the number of trains can be moved to 38 trains per month.
Is crude oil transported to Global Clatskanie?
Not since November 2015. The Columbia Pacific Bio-Refinery opened as an ethanol manufacturing plant in 2008. Crude oil was transported through the terminal beginning in 2012, before Global purchased the site. Crude shipments were suspended and replaced by ethanol in 2016. In 2020, Global began moving renewable diesel.
I’ve heard the terminal called by different names. Is it the same entity?
Global Clatskanie is known under a number of names, including Columbia Pacific Bio-Refinery and Cascade Kelly Holdings.
What is Global’s commitment to safety?
At the heart of its operation is Global’s commitment to the safe receipt, storage and distribution of its products. We have an excellent safety record and inspect the terminal daily for any sign of potential problems. We also maintain close working relationships with our partners, including local and state government officials and agencies, emergency response organizations, rail carriers, and our local community. Read more about safety at Global’s Clatskanie terminal.
How can Global ensure fuels are transported safely through the community?
The efforts of federal, state and local agencies complement our detailed preventive safety measures and comprehensive emergency preparedness protocols. We work closely with our transportation partners to ensure the safe transport and delivery of our products.
