PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Officials with the Oregon DEQ met with officials from Precision Castparts about the installation of air monitors in Portland — but the meeting was behind closed doors.
The decision for a closed-door meeting — blocking the public from attending and commenting — was firmly made by Precision Castparts. In emails obtained by KOIN 6 News, the DEQ urged the company to allow at least one member of the public.
But the company objected and said it “didn’t want any third-party raising questions.”
Those fighting for clean air are very disturbed by the company’s stance especially since the topic of the meeting was air monitors and filtration systems.
The DEQ was forthcoming about the details of Friday’s conversation and said, despite Precision Castparts closed-door stance, it’s still one step closer to cleaning up the air in the region.
“The company has committed to install additional pollution control technology and we, in part to ourselves and in part to community concerns, be able to get some data before that happens,” said the DEQ’s Nina DeConcini.
The DEQ caved to the company’s demands for a private meeting because the DEQ would rather have a private meeting than no meeting at all.
Still, DeConcini said, “We’re disappointed, quite candidly.”
In emails to DEQ, Precision Castparts said it may schedule a public meeting. But there were no dates, times or other details.
Filed under: Civic Affairs, Environment, Multnomah County, Portland, Top Video Tagged: Portland Air Quality
