WOODLAND — Woodland Mayor Will Finn on Friday called a decision to invalidate permits for a $1.8 billion methanol plant proposed for the Port of Kalama “extremely disappointing.”
“As mayor of the city of Woodland I recognize the need for process and due diligence when collaborating with developers, large and small,” he said in a statement. “Economic stability and employment is something that is desperately needed in our region. The decision by the Shoreline Hearing Board … is extremely disappointing.”
The six-member board decided recently to reverse two permits for Northwest Innovation Works, stalling its chances to build the methanol plant. Proponents of the project say the plant would create jobs and reduce reliance on coal energy.
However, the board contended that an environmental impact statement had not fully examined the plant’s potential greenhouse gas emissions and reversed two permits for the project.
Finn, elected in 2015, said he stood by the legwork that has gone into the project thus far.
“A project this scale calls upon many knowledgeable individuals to complete the permitting process,” he said. “Those individuals entrusted with the permitting of this project dedicated many hours, analyzing and coordinating information to deliver a product that would please even the most discerning eye.”
Project backers have 30 days to appeal the decision.
