Tacoma: Will ratepayers subsidize methanol plant?

Re: “Power panel touts Northwest conservation” (TNT, 2-16).

The article states that no new power plants will be necessary in the Northwest provided conservation measures are maintained. So I am incredulous that the Port of Tacoma and City of Tacoma are proponents of the proposed methanol plant, especially considering the plant will have practically the same power needs as the whole city.

My concern is that Tacoma Power customers will end up subsidizing the venture through power rate increases. The same goes for water usage.

What guarantees do we have that will not be the case? I suggest Northwest Innovation Works proposes a massive companion investment in sustainable power-generating equipment, such as solar farms or wind farms, if it wants opponents in this area to change their opinions on this project.

I’m surprised the port and city have not made this demand. They apparently thinks it’s acceptable to jeopardize those resources to the disadvantage of the city’s current customers.

I still oppose the project for reasons too lengthy to address here, but this one concession would certainly make it a little more palatable.

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 10:57 AM with the headline "Tacoma: Will ratepayers subsidize methanol plant?."