I was standing in Fireman’s Park looking out over the Port of Tacoma wondering where the proposed methanol plant would be located. Once home I read that it is to be situated on the prior site of the Kaiser Aluminum Smelter on the Blair Waterway. So that would be on the far side of this photo, realistically out of sight. And I added the fog to the image for the drama.
This proposed plant would be the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Plants are also proposed to be located in the Port of Kalama, Washington and Port Westwood, Oregon. Tacoma’s plant could be operational as soon as 2020 and would produce 20,000 tons of Methanol daily. The Methanol would then be shipped to China.
I’m not going to offer an opinion before I know more, but I did find some interesting reading and sites.
- Citizens for a Healthy Bay
- The Port of Tacoma
- An article about folks protesting the proposal
- #nomethanol253 (lots of info here)
- The Sightline Institute
I personally think we should all quickly study this issue and act accordingly. Our voices should be heard. To that end, there is a public meeting this Wednesday and it should be well worthwhile.
While I was there I photographed the classic mountain framed in the Murry Morgan Bridge and a lovely tree.
