By Karen Robes Meeks
The Shorelines Permits for the Kalama Manufacturing and Marine Export Facility (KMMEF) methanol production plant has been reinstated by a judge, a move that clarifies what needs to be studied in the supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS), according to the Port of Kalama.
Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge James Warning made the reinstatement, allowing the port to focus on revising the Greenhouse gas (GHG) impact analysis while keeping in place the rest of the EIS pending the GHG review.
“We’re pleased the Shorelines Permits are reinstated—this important decision appropriately narrows and focuses the Shoreline Board’s EIS remand order, consistent with what the law requires,” said Port Executive Director Mark Wilson. “Ambiguity about what the law requires, related to greenhouse gas emissions, has been a challenge.”
Northwest Innovations Works, LLC wants to develop and run a natural gas-to-methanol production plant and storage facility on about 90 acres at the port. The project would feature a methanol plant, a gas pipeline lateral, and a new marine terminal.
