I am writing to you about my experience learning about the proposed Methanol Plant on the Tacoma Tide Flats. Below is what I discovered:

Report from Port of Tacoma Commissioner’s meeting: Feb. 18

It was illuminating to listen to the Port Commissioners and the head of Northwest Innovations Works interface directly with the audience in an unusual and frank exchange of ideas. The crowd seemed spurred on by prior frustration with the Tacoma LNG Project, in which Puget Sound Energy will build an LNG storage facility in the Port.

I was impressed with the commitment the Port Commissioners showed to fully explore concerns raised by citizens. I was also impressed by the NWIW President’s frankness under questioning [making allowances for the importance of the project to him personally].

I had previously attended a Citizens For a Healthy Bay workshop on the proposal and a meeting in Federal Way concerning the project.

Before this meeting I read the summary of public comments received to date. I felt the strongest of those points were questions about financial liability and the safety of workers, first responders and neighbors. A number of comments pertained not to the methanol plant but to the LNG Storage facility. I also heard later comments indicating the citizen did not understand the role of a catalyst [used in the process].

I also heard an elaboration of the entire Environmental Impact Statement process. An additional discussion of the permitting process that follows after the final EIS was presented, showing, I thought, a respect for the intelligence of the audience.

During the lengthy comment period, great care was given to allow all to speak, some three times. In the end I stood up and offered to comment, although I had not signed up to speak. I told the group that I had changed my mind in the course of the afternoon and felt that the draft EIS process was proceeding as it should. I was personally convinced that the President of NWIW and the Port Commissioners were committed to a reasonable course. The Commissioners thanked the public for bringing forth concerns that needed to be addressed and promised to follow closely further developments.

Dorothy Burt, Federal Way