Governor Inslee Retracts Support for Kalama Methanol Refinery

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Seattle, WA -- In a statement released late last week, Governor Jay Inslee backed off his previous support of the proposed Kalama methanol project, noting the importance of “a rigorous environmental review process.”

In September, the state shoreline hearings board reversed two of the major permits needed to move forward with the project. At the time, Inslee expressed support for the project, but public opposition to the project and calls to evaluate the full life-cycle greenhouse gas impact have since gained momentum. A recent report from the Stockholm Environment Institute estimated that the project would be responsible for between 3.7 million to 7 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually — between two to six times higher than its original estimate -- and additional research indicates that even this is a conservative estimate.

In response, Jesse Piedfort, Director of the Sierra Club Washington State Chapter released the following statement:

“This refinery would be bad for the climate, bad for our communities, and bad for Washington, and Governor Inslee’s retraction of his support is an important step in the right direction. If our state is to meet Governor Inslee’s climate commitments, it is critical that we stop expanding our fossil fuel infrastructure. We urge the governor to fully oppose this project, as well as other fracked gas and petrochemical projects in Washington.”

 

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.