Northwest Now examines proposed methanol plant in Tacoma

Posted: March 17, 2016

It could bring hundreds of needed jobs to Tacoma and Pierce County and a potential economic boost,  but there’s also a concern that it could also be an environmental disaster waiting to happen.

Friday at 7:30 p.m., join Northwest Now’s host Tom Layson as he takes a closer look at the proposed methanol plant built in the Port of Tacoma’s Tide Flats area. We’ll hear from community members about their concerns about what could end up becoming one of the world’s biggest methanol plants.

Plus, members  from the Sierra Club, RedLine Tacoma, and the University of Washington’s Urban Waters Department will weigh in on the proposed project.

“When you’re looking at a project of this size the fundamentals can’t be changed,” said Eric DePlace, Policy Director for the Sightline Institute in Seattle. “You’re going to use a tremendous amount of natural gas that’s going to be brought in by pipeline,  you’re going to use a tremendous amount of water that’s going to come out of a local water source, probably the Green River, and by necessity, you’re going to have some water pollution impacts.”

Northwest Now is a weekly public affairs program that airs Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. on KBTC.

Use the list below to find us on TV. You can also watch past episodes and learn more about our show on our website.

OFF AIR:

KBTC 28.1, 28.2, 28.3 digital channels, (including K41KT-D Grays River-Lebam and K24IC-D, Bellingham and Channel 16 Digital, Seattle)

KCKA 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 digital channels

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