Tacoma: Why strain power, water resources?

Within the next few years, Tacoma and its citizens could see the creation of an industrial methanol facility over vacant tideflats. The environmental concerns clouding the project hold a lot of merit as this plant produces and stores a very flammable substance. Eventually, this gas is to be used as a source of “cleaner energy” for China.

Why would we strain Tacoma’s existing power grid, as well as use more than 10 million gallons of fresh water provided via public infrastructure, just to receive a slice of profit from this industry?

Even if we were to receive the jobs Northwest Innovation Works is promising (1,000 temporary and 260 permanent), the majority would only provide temporary economic stimulus to the same community that hold the weight of the environmental impact if something were to happen.

Consistent and healthy economic growth is something we want within our community. Playing chicken with Mother Nature while producing something that won’t even be used domestically isn’t the way to go about doing that.

This story was originally published February 8, 2016 at 1:59 PM with the headline "Tacoma: Why strain power, water resources?."