TACOMA — About 1,000 Tacoma-area residents attended a public hearing to oppose a proposed $1.8 billion plant at the Port of Tacoma that would convert natural gas to methanol.
The News Tribune reports that the Wednesday public hearing was interrupted by applause as speakers criticized the plant over its potential impact on the environment, property values and other concerns.
A multinational consortium of chemical companies and investors called Northwest Innovation Works is seeking permits for the plant, which would ship the converted methanol to China to be used to make plastics.
Wednesday’s hearing was the second of three scheduled as Tacoma officials shape an environmental review required before the plant’s permit application can be submitted.
The Federal Way City Council will hold an emergency meeting over the proposed plant on Thursday.
