In the last several years, Cascadia has seen a tsunami of proposals to expand the region’s capacity to ship coal and oil throughout and out of the region. More recently, a third wave of proposals has emerged: fracked petrochemicals, including methanol, which Chinese companies would use to make plastics.
But methanol comes at a high cost. Sometimes pitched as green, there is no evidence to support the project’s hype of environmental responsibility. In fact, the plants that produce it require massive amounts of energy and water, even as they spew out wastewater and heavy metals and fill the air with toxic and climate-destabilizing pollution.
The proposed methanol refinery in Kalama, Washington, would be the world’s largest, opening the floodgates for fracked gas refining and export in Cascadia.
On Monday, April 24, Sightline policy director Eric de Place will speak in Seattle about fracked gas and the proposed Kalama methanol refinery. Dr. Mark Vossler, of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, and local Kalama activist John Flynn will also join in on the discussion.
Read Eric’s research here, and check out our three-minute infographic introduction to methanol in the Northwest and our Kalama methanol refinery infographic.
Event: “Explained: Natural Gas and World’s Largest Methanol Refinery”
- Speakers: Eric de Place, Sightline Institute policy director; Dr. Mark Vossler, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility; John Flynn, local Kalama activist
- Where: University Friends Meeting, 4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle, Washington 98105 (map)
- When: Monday, April 24, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00 PM (RSVP here)
- Sponsor: Sierra Club
- The event is free and open to the public; childcare will be provided.
Want to help spread the word? You can do so on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks in advance!
Original Sightline Institute graphic, available under our free use policy.
Wells
I’m glad the Seattle Port Director Bryant lost his bid for governor. His loss is our advantage; Inslee was not a given race. I’ll be calling it an Inslee mandate to say NO.
The CRC commission project members, both State DOTs, both Port Authorities, counties, cities and chairs for moneybags business interests failed both states ala fiasco. The buck stops at Wsdot. Odot finished early 2010 or so, went on to other projects. Portland Director Wyatt has a terrible record. I thought his removal from office would be on many people’s mind. (oh the embarrassment) of pointing out failed marine terminal operations over the years, almost like clockwork, one screw up at a time. I’m sure both Bills are fine family men, but Bill Wyatt’s record since 2006 has been abominable. Absolutely objectionable. Bryant can’t seem to put an end to new stadium plans. Another monolithe?