Port of Tacoma commissioners say they have a lot of unanswered questions about a Chinese-backed company’s proposed methanol plant on port property.
Almost two years ago, the commissioners signed a 30-year lease with the company, Northwest Innovation Works, with little public input. But lately there’s been so much public outcry that the company paused the environmental review process and is now seeking an extension to the feasibility phase of the lease.
On May 1, the lease is scheduled to shift into the construction phase. At that point, the company will have to pay more in rent and will no longer have the ability to terminate the lease. The Port of Tacoma Commission has set a special meeting about the methanol plant lease for April 25. Commission President Connie Bacon said she wants to hear more from the company about safety risks.
