Today the Department of Ecology released its draft Second Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SSEIS) on Northwest Innovation Works’ proposed methanol facility in Kalama.
“Today’s report from the Department of Ecology reflects an exhaustive effort to thoroughly analyze this project, with unprecedented depth and focus on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. “The Department and their consultants performed a fully independent analysis that addresses issues across every level, looks at the project from every angle, and represents the dispositive study this process needs to move forward,” said Kent Caputo, General Counsel for NWIW.
“With the release of today’s report, we have further credible validation that the Kalama facility drives a global net reduction in GHGs,” Caputo said. “To put this in context, Ecology’s best estimate is that NWIW’s Kalama facility will result in a global net reduction of over six million metric tonnes of GHGs every year, which is equal to eliminating approximately two times the number of GHGs as the entire city of Seattle emits annually.1 In addition to that fact, NWIW recognizes the need to be accountable for mitigating project emissions produced here in Washington, even those not tied directly to the facility. Importantly, beyond the project resulting in net negative greenhouse gasses globally, the Department of Ecology, in coordination with Cowlitz County, will exercise its authority to ensure the project is net neutral on a statewide basis. The Department will determine annually both the level of emissions and the acceptability and sufficiency of NWIW’s mitigation of those emissions.”
“In our view, Ecology has enabled a progressive, comprehensive, and credible approach to the analysis, regulation, limitation, and mitigation of GHG emissions. Likewise, the mitigation framework released with the analysis represents the most sweeping ever proposed in this state. Washington stands to be a national – and international – leader in how to build a sustainable economy, creating family-wage jobs that make measurable, positive economic and environmental contributions.”
“In addition to modeling new standards for environmental stewardship, the project also creates 1,000 family-wage jobs as soon as we begin construction and contributes $30-$40 million in tax revenue every year we operate,” added Vee Godley, NWIW’s Chief Development Officer. “There’s never been a greater need in our lifetimes to create family-wage jobs and new tax revenue for our critical services. This is a project that creates jobs, generates new tax revenue, helps the community and protects land, air and water – all at meaningful levels.”
