Letter: Oppose Kalama refinery

Residents of Southwest Washington are voicing opposition to the proposed fracked natural gas-to-methanol refinery in Kalama.

Our state’s core values for environmental protection and climate leadership will be tested with the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt.

The increase of annual emissions will combat Washington state’s new clean air rule. Kalama doesn’t deserve this dirty energy project.

Southwest Washington appears to be the latest soft target on the Columbia River, making this a fossil fuel rush we have not seen before.

Natural gas was once thought to be the bridge fuel from coal but the greenhouse gases from fracking and piping are not the replacement we need. The increased greenhouse gases from the refinery will leave a black mark on Kalama and Washington state for years to come.

Step up and say “no” to Northwest Innovations Works’ Chinese venture with the Port of Kalama. We need to protect our climate and the Columbia River. We are local citizens fighting for the right to live in a healthy environment with clean air and water.