SPOKANE — Plans to build a $325 million silicon smelter south of town drew a large crowd to the Newport High School gym Wednesday night.
Despite the promise of 150 jobs, many residents spoke out against the proposal, raising concerns about traffic, property values and potential pollutants.
“I feel like I’ve been blindsided,” said Barb Cottrell, who owns 10 acres west of Newport. “This is my dream home. I’m all for development, but at what cost?”
The meeting was put on by HiTest Silicon, which bought 186 acres near the Washington-Idaho border in September.
The company would ship silica sand from a British Columbia mine to the site. The smelter would produce high-quality silicon for eventual use in solar panels and other products, said Jayson Tymko, HiTest Silicon’s president.
During a 2 1/2 -hour meeting, he and other officials assured the crowd that the smelter won’t be built unless it passes rigorous state, federal and local reviews. At least six to 12 months of permitting lie ahead of the smelter, he said.
The Washington state Department of Health also will conduct a study of potential impacts.
Several hundred people filled the gym. They listened to a presentation by HiTest, then asked questions.
HiTest chose Northeast Washington because of its cheap electricity and abundant supply of woodchips, Tymko said. Both are needed for silicon production.
