Methanol: Tideflats meant for industrial use

Re: the growing opposition to building a world-class methanol plant in Tacoma.

I have lived in Tacoma for most of my adult life and have traveled around the world, and one thing we should be proud and thankful for is that we have an industrial district like the Tideflats. It is unique in that it has a seaport and heavenly rail and road links to the rest of the country, something other cities would give their right arm for.

The fear of the plant’s opponents and the misinformation campaign seems to have a life of its own. I ask my fellow Tacomans to please take into account that nobody is trying to build a multibillion-dollar plant to blow up, and we already have gas pipelines operating in the area.

We need an industrial infrastructure in this country. We can do it better.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Methanol: Tideflats meant for industrial use."