FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLUMBIA RIVERKEEPER SEEKS STATE-WIDE REVIEW OF KALAMA METHANOL REFINERY AND EXPORT TERMINAL
June 24, 2016 (Kalama, WA) – This week Columbia Riverkeeper petitioned the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to take responsibility for permitting and reviewing the proposed methanol refinery and export terminal in Kalama, Washington. Converting natural gas into methanol for export is a brand new industry in Washington, with state-wide energy implications.
"This proposed methanol refinery deserves the level of state-wide scrutiny and public input that the EFSEC process was designed to provide," said Miles Johnson, Clean Water Attorney of Columbia Riverkeeper.
Northwest Innovation Works (NWIW), a company controlled by the Chinese government, seeks to take advantage of Washington’s cheap natural gas, water, and electricity to manufacture methanol for export to China. NWIW’s proposal would include a 90-acre methanol refinery at the Port of Kalama, a massive new dock and dredging in the lower Columbia River, and a 3.1-mile pipeline through a pioneer cemetery and residential properties in Cowlitz County.
The methanol refinery would use gas extracted through hydraulic fracking, generate hazardous air pollution, and consume millions of gallons of groundwater every day.
For more information go www.kalamamfgfacilitysepa.com. Read the Petition for Declaratory Order for Kalama Methanol Manufacturing and Export Facility and Exhibits.
About Columbia Riverkeeper
Columbia Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. Representing over 8,000 members and supporters, Columbia Riverkeeper works to restore a Columbia River where people can safely eat the fish they catch, and where children can swim without fear of toxic exposure. The organization is a member of Waterkeeper Alliance, the world’s fastest growing environmental movement, uniting more than 200 Waterkeeper organizations worldwide. For more information go to columbiariverkeeper.org.
Resources:
- Methanol overview from Columbia Riverkeeper
- Documentary and Discussion with Josh Fox May 19, 2016 (Kalama, WA)
- Cemetery District Challenges Gas Pipeline Approval for Methanol Export May 11, 2016 (Kelso, WA)
- Methanol Comment Period Wraps for Plant in Kalama April 18, 2016 (Kalama, WA)
- Why China Wants Methanol From the Northwest, Sightline Institute
- What Methanol Means for the Northwest, Sightline Institute
- Proposed Methanol Plants in Region Face Fierce Opposition, Seattle Times
- Northwest Innovation Works’ environmental review website
- Read Columbia Riverkeeper and NEDC’s Scoping comments on the Kalama methanol proposal
