Draft study analyzes emissions from Kalama methanol plant

Published 4:00 pm Monday, November 12, 2018

KALAMA, Wash. (AP) A draft study of a proposed $2 billion methanol refining project in Kalama says the plant would drive down global greenhouse gas emissions by displacing coal-based methanol sources.

The Daily News says the review released Tuesday by the Port of Kalama and Cowlitz County concludes the plant, which would produce methanol from natural gas, would displace dirtier coal-based methanol sources in China and result in net reductions in carbon emissions.

Environmentalists called the report flawed. They say it underestimates methane associated with the project from hydraulic fracturing and makes speculative assumptions about global markets.

Northwest Innovation Works wants to build a refinery to produce up to 10,000 metric tons a day of methanol, which would be sent to China to make plastics and other goods.

The company says it will offset all of the plant’s carbon emissions, or up to 1 million metric tons a year.

A public hearing on the supplemental review is set for Dec. 13 in Longview.