NW Innovation Works is proposing to construct and operate a methanol production plant in an industrial park owned by the Port of Kalama. The plant would manufacture methanol from natural gas. Natural gas will be delivered to the methanol plant by a new lateral distribution pipeline to be constructed by Northwest Pipeline GP. As part of the same development, the Port is proposing a new deep draft marine terminal facility to load methanol onto ships.
SEPA stands for the State Environmental Policy Act. The SEPA review process provides a way to identify possible environmental impacts that may result from construction and operation of a proposed project. Information gathered during the review process helps agency decision-makers and the public understand how a proposal will affect the environment. The information can be used to change a proposal, to reduce likely impacts, or to condition or deny a proposal when adverse environmental impacts are identified. Public and agency input is an important part of the SEPA process.
Under state law, state and local agencies are required by SEPA to consider the likely environmental consequences of a proposed project before acting on any permits or approvals requested to construct and operate the project. Learn more about SEPA from the Washington State Department of Ecology.