​REALTIME​ ​FILE 
 STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
SWDOE: PUBLIC MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

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>> This text is being provided in a rough draft format. Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is provided in order to facilitate communication accessibility and may not be a totally verbatim record of the proceedings. 
>> JAYNE (Captioner): Connecting to webinar. Connected to webinar, waiting for event to begin. 
>>  Welcome all and thank you for participating in the second supplemental public hearing. My name is Cindy and for the purposes of this webinar I am displayed is the organizer. There are two cool organizers in this meeting which is Sadie and Laura. We are here to provide technical assistance throughout this presentation. And I would like to announce this is being recorded. Without your verbal comments will be recorded for the record. The following will be available online after the meeting. As well as the written transcript. As a reminder, those on the phone you will be in listen only mode today. And will not be able to provide verbal comments. Written and online comments have the same weight as verbal comments.
      If you wish to provide verbal comments we ask that you register for this event and use the online webinar feature. This is mainly a new process for those joining us today, I would like to go over how to participate to the participation and hearing. For those participating online agency a gray control panel that has the number of different icons in a column. If you click on the arrow, in large panel should pop up next to that gray Control Panel.
     There are three webinar features that will be used during today's hearing the first is that mute only button. Please note that all participants have unmuted upon entry in this feature will be used when purchase a bizarre in the public hearing portion of this meeting.
The second feature is the question plus chat feature. Which should be used to ask Laura, one of our co organizers any technical questions related to the webinar function. Such as if you are having audio connection issues. The question feature can be under your audio section of the right Control Panel. There is a drop-down box where you can select  Laura's name and write your message. If you are experiencing any technical difficulties leads use that each or if we will attempt to advise you on how to resolve those issues.
      The third feature you will be using an today's meeting is the raised hand feature, which we will ask her to supposed to use in the public hearing portion. On your screen you will see a circular icon among the great Control Panel option. And we will ask you to use this feature to identify that you have a comment. To raise your hand we simply click on the icon work we will be taking comments in order that we see the raised hand. And we will call your name and enable you to unmute your own microphone and accept your comments. Once we have received your comment, we will remute to microphone and move on to the next person and we will also announce who isn't line next for the comments. With that I would like to hand over to Rich who will write a brief introduction. 
>> RICH:  Thank you Cindy, hello everyone I am the director for the Southwest regional office. Department of ecology welcome and thank you for joining us today. I appreciate everyone here taking time during the difficult-- and to provide input on the manufacturing and impact statements. The final second supplemental will be used by ecology to form a decision on our program. You'll hear us refer to this document as draft or draft supplemental throughout this hearing. Due to-- we will do our best to keep the meeting moving smoothly. I appreciate your patience. And to provide information about the analysis and results and virtue, to get your feedback on the report. Second supplemental EIS.  And providing comments. Reminder that we are taking public comments until October 2nd. At 11:59 PM. You can submit comments in three ways. By mail, postmarked by October 2nd. Online at the ecology website work at the URL shown on the slide. Or during meetings like today through oral comments. Comments received in all three ways, if you don't get a chance to submit questions during today's meeting we encourage you to use one of the other methods. So we can make sure we hear from you. We will review and respond to all comments received in the final second supplemental of EIS although we may revise the final document based on the public comments. We also have a phone in only hearing.
     For those with limited or no Internet connection. And there are two parts to these meetings. First we are here today to get an overview of the supplemental EIS, and a little bit of background and then the results. Also talk about what happens at the end of the comment period. After the presentation, we will begin with formal hearing. After introduction we will begin taking oral comments. Please note that comments made in the webinar are not considered public comments for the record. And we will not be having a question and answer session at this meeting.
      Before we start the presentation I would like to introduce you to the ecology team helping with the webinar. You have already met Cindy Bradley who is our host and helping keep things running smoothly. A  technical team, Sadie and Laura helping you with technical issues. And Neil working with our consultant, TRC to complete the analysis. And will be giving part of the presentation today. Fran is our hearing officer and running the second half of the meeting and taking your comments. So let's get started.
      The state environmental policy requires agencies-- EIS is intended to provide information to the public and decision-makers to consider an early stage of the project and to identify likely significant impacts. And EIS does not approve or deny the proposed project. Agencies staff will consider the EIS when they are making permit and other agency decisions.
      In this slide you can see the proposed project will be located at the port of Kalama. The project proponent and how the innovation works is building methanol manufacturing facility in new Marine terminal. Converting natural gas to methanol and shipping it to Asian market and primarily in China. And it works the state of intent use methanol to create plastics but also used as fuel.
      A little bit about how we have come back to a supplemental EIS, the original EIS was found not to have a sufficient greenhouse gas analysis. Board and Superior Court found the greenhouse gas analysis was necessary for the EIS to comply with the state environmental policy act. And  ecology may commence on those that were not addressed. And a second EIS is to address ecology's comments to ensure the impacts are fully documented before making a decision on conditional use program. Ecology made the decision to complete the analysis. Finally the conditional use for a pill and any outcome of this supplemental EIS process. Specifically the new analysis focused on that. More thorough greenhouse analysis, upstream,  on-site and downstream. Impacts of the methanol market. Supplemental, second supplemental concluded methanol produced from natural gas cannot fuel, which has methanol produce from coal resulting in lower greenhouse gas measure. In the second supplemental EIS is necessary in order to make a decision on the conditional use permit and comply with the use permit.
      I will now turn things over to Neil who will walk you through the analysis and results.
 
>> NEIL:  Thank you Rich, this shows an overview of the types of greenhouse gas emissions from the proposed project part of this analysis. They include emissions from extraction processing and transmission with natural gas use by the object. And connections from on-site combustion and reactions to facility and-- in China. We did not just look at emissions from the project itself but also looked at the global and Chinese methanol market so we can compare the proposed project to other ways of making and using methanol. This simplified flow chart shows the type of emissions that were evaluated with a project on top and other technologies on the bottom. Those in yellow are mostly the same as the first SEIS, some in blue are consistent with the first SEIS but unlike the prior study that mostly just describe the admission types, our study includes the remaining analysis that informs the final results. Those include alternate ways of making methanol and burning them methanol from the project as fuel. Other topics in green were updated with new numbers or methods during this analysis. Those topics include emissions from extreme natural gas and the final emission totals for both the project and comparison cases. We also added some new components to the analysis in Orange, they include new economic model that estimates how much methanol made using each technology may be changed by this project. This is critical as the different technologies have very different emission rates and this is the single biggest influence and results when comparing the project to a-- market.
      The economic analysis used a custom model to estimate how the proposed project will impact methanol market. Some of the things the analysis looked at include noble and Chinese methanol supply, demand and capacity in both now and trends over time, broader economic factors like oil prices and how we recover from the current recession. And technologies used to make ethanol both locally and in China. Analysis also looked at how the methanol was made and used. Are merely an research of all the methanol from the project is likely to end up used to make plastics, or soon may be earned as fuel. Model looked at conditions now and projected changes over the 40-year expected lifespan facility. And concluded that the methanol market is increasing but there is capacity to meet that demand. Therefore this project can impact however there existing and future methanol facilities are operated sent overall market conditions.
      Now we will look at the results of the study.
      We looked at many possible scenarios but this was deemed most likely. Emissions from the project are on the left and emissions related to the same amount of methanol coming from average market conditions are on the right. The column to the right is useful when trying to compare this project to the global methanol project.
If you are only interested in the actual greenhouse gas emissions due to the project, then just look at the left column. Due to increasing demand for methanol, both cases result in large greenhouse gas emissions increases. However, the project emissions on the left are smaller, about 4.6 million metric tons, carbon dioxide equivalent per year. Than the market conditions on the right, 10.6 metric million tons. This means double greenhouse gas emissions are expected to increase but increase 6.1 million metric tons slower than if it was made with a different source. This is 11 and a half million ton metric difference then presented in the SEIS. Mostly due to work comparisons of 100%: P and indicating the type of emissions that add to the total. The green layer at the bottom shows-- related to upstream fossil fuels. And the emissions at the facility making the methanol. Method of converting asked to methanol is the most efficient  method evaluated. In which the model predict will start at around 60 percent and decrease over time. The Brown layer at the top is due to burning methanol as a fuel. This study concluded that even if all of methanol was used to make plastic, all other facilities currently in the plastic sector will switch to selling methanol to fuel suppliers instead. This was informed by market conditions. Therefore both the scenarios here show significant fuel related emissions, those emissions are the same in both cases.
      A major difference between the annual global CHD emissions increase, we looked at each variable like methane increase our market conditions impacts the results and created a variety of scenarios to get the range and possible emissions. This is important because global methanol market is complex and there are many unknowns and assumptions when estimating emissions over a for year period. It's more appropriate to look at a range of values than a single result. This case uses a combination of inputs show the scenario with the smallest difference between the proposed projects and without Kalama case. This is not a likely outcome is informative for showing the uncertainty of any analysis of this project as well as how certain assumptions can change the results. And in this case, project emissions are 9.4 million metric tons per year and the market case is only 200,000 metric tons higher at 9.6 million metric tons. As you can see the upstream fossil fuels emissions layer, green at the bottom, is larger than previous graphic this is due to using a larger natural gas grade at 3% and different potentials.  Which magnify the impact of the short-term.
      The over all difference is a small emissions layer. And dark blue, for without kalama comparison case. This is using-- importing natural gas facilities.
      This graph shows the other unlikely and of our sensitivity analysis. The most similar to the results of the first SEIS, the inputs are like our most likely scenario at a two slides are rare but with a few changes. Starting with 100% cool to methanol. Like the first SEIS, that is why the middle dark blue facility emissions layer is much larger. Also like the first SEIS it assumes all methanol will be used to make plastic. There are no emissions for the methanol being burned as fuel. Using very similar assumptions to the first SEIS that's similar results. Project emissions are estimated at 2.8 million metric tons and comparison case estimated released.3 alien metric tons per this difference of 9.5 million metric tons. Is still less than the 11.5 million metric ton difference of the first SEIS.
      For all the scenarios we  studied, is expected to significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions in Washington. This shows the proposed facility will likely be the seventh or eighth largest greenhouse gas meeting facility in Washington. The yellow column to the left shows the highest facility, low estimate is the yellow column to the right.
Total facility greenhouse gas emissions projected between 730-975,000 metric tons per year. And statewide emissions are estimated between  1.4 million metric tons per year with 979,000 metric tons being the most likely estimate and total statewide emissions in 2017 were 97.6 million metric tons. So this project would result in an increase of about 1% of total statewide emissions.
      Northwest innovation works included mitigation plan in the original SEIS. Ecology has worked with the company to improve the plan and applicants new proposed mitigation plan is included in this analysis. The proponents proposed mitigation plan includes mitigating 100% of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington state and emissions outside of Washington will not be mitigated. The amount of mitigation required be calculated each year using the ecologies greenhouse gas reporting program. This provides agency oversight on the amount of negation each year. Mitigation must meet quality criteria and also the company plans to establish board to help recommend mitigation projects. The proponent plans to prioritize local mitigation projects when feasible.
      To recap our points, the initial outcomes with the project with this being the most likely estimate. The column to the left shows the proposed project will increase greenhouse gas emissions. This includes a significant increase in Washington state. About one percent of total statewide emissions. The column on the right shows the greenhouse gas emissions will increase without the project as well. Due to the projected increase in global methanol use for plastics and fuels.
      Let's review the next steps in the process. At the end of the comments period, ecology will review all public comments. We will consider all comments as we finalize the second SEIS and may make changes to the document. The document will be used to make the decision on the conditional use permit work no decision will be made until at least seven days after the release of the last SEIS. The decision must the made 30 days after that. And now I will turn over to Fran to begin the public hearing. 
>> FRAN:  160 people online for this event, it's my job to make sure everyone who wants to participate as the opportunity to do that in the public hearing. I will review how to participate in the hearing and go over a few ground rules before we start. And as a reminder during the public hearing we are asking participants to use their raise hand feature to identify that you have a comments. On your screen you will see a circular icon in the gray control panel options. Lamy open the floor for public comment we will ask you to use this feature to identify if you have a comments. To raise your hand, simply click on the icon. We will take comments in order that we see the raised hands. When we reach your raised hand, we will call your name and enable you to unmute your own microphone and accept your comments. Once we have received your comment we will remute your microphone and move on to the next person in providing individuals time to prepare I will announce who will have the next comment as well. If there is more than one person providing comment in the same location, please announce that before providing your comments. Once you have provided your comment, please remember to lower your raised hand. Again if you click on the circular icon on the gray control  panel it will lower your hand.
This will help us keep an accurate list of who is next.
For those participating strict way through the phone, will not have the ability to provide public comment verbally today.
     This is a webinar based public hearing. We will be conducting a phone public hearing on September 23, 2020, and provide the information later today. And if you wish to provide verbal comment today, we encourage you go to the webinar link on the project website. All comments will be done equally, regardless of how they are submitted and written comments are valued the same as verbal comments.
      For some groundrules, intended to write a respect for atmosphere to provide everyone access. To do this please remember, the time is limited to two minutes per speaker. It will be muted at the end of two minutes. You can submit additional comments online or by mail. We will use the timer on the screen to help show how much time is left. Once unmuted, please do your best to limit noise going on in the background where you are. Please state your name for the record, please also make sure you speak clearly so that we can get to you quickly and hear your comments. Please summarize lengthy comments or repetitive ones. If you would prefer, you can provide your comments in writing. Written comments received the same consideration as a reminder, comments must be postmarked by October 2, 2020. Finally I ask that you use respectful leg which while providing comments and please respect the rights of others to have an opinion even if you do not agree.
      Now we will begin the formal hearing session of the meeting. Which is also being recorded for the public record. At this time I will release information that is required for the record. I am Fran, your hearing officer for this hearing. We are conducting a public hearing to receive comments on the draft supplemental environmental impact statement for the proposed Kalama manufacturing project. It is 1:27 PM on September 17, 2020, and this is being held online by webinar. This was published in the register number 20200-4553 and in addition notices of this hearing were mailed to local residents using three separate postcards. E-mail notices were sent to over 3000 interested people on September 2nd and again on September 16, 2020. And a news release issued on September 2, 2020. Legal ads also published in the following newspapers, Chronicle on September 3rd and September 17, 2020, and the Longview daily news on September 2nd and September 17, 2020. And we can get started now. Please use the raised hand feature to let us know that you would like to provide comments.
      First up I show I have-- Davis followed by Allison Carter. Ready to unmute yourself. Alan, I see your raised hand, you are ready to unmute yourself and provide comment. Okay.
I will go ahead and move on. Allison Carter, Allison you are able to unmute yourself and provide comment. 
>> Hello this is Allison roster can you hear me? 
>> Yes we can hear you Allison thank you. 
>> ALLISON:  Great I will be brief, my name is Allison roster I live in Seattle  and I am a voter and tax pair and the irony of having this meeting.
The stated purpose of this Kalama is to ship fossil  fuels to Asia and already drowning in plastic. We really don't need more.
I don't want more. Regarding the use of offsetting coal as a dying industry, its use will continue to fall without approving the Kalama project and stating we should approve it quote unquote to reduce coal use is the last gentleman was talking about. I think was disingenuous, misleading and false. I guess all use of fossil fuels for their life when we don't need to do that. I want Washington to create more clean energy companies and not, slightly less  dirty if we  ship the numbers just right companies. And the chance to have a major impact on reducing fossil fuels and on saving the environment. This industry needs our coast so we can say no to this project and have a direct impact on plastic pollution and climate change. This is a rare opportunity to think globally and acted globally by rejecting the project.
 
>> FRAN:  And accept we should be able to unmute your microphone. 
>> Hello my name is Anastasia prize anime 25-year-old youth climate activist working with sunrise PDX and 350 PDX out of Portland. And I just cannot fathom why in a time like this, as the previous commentator just noted, our entire coastline is on fire, the effects of climate change are just beyond undeniable at this point and talking about a project that needs to exist in order for just other companies to pollute less is just asinine. The only way forward is to not build places like this. We don't need a single bit more of plastic in our oceans looking every single bit of marine wildlife.
I mean we are about to enter a point in history where we have more poundage of plastic in our oceans that we do real fish. We cannot subsidize and keep making these changes happen for jury ways of fuel. The only way forward and the only way to save our way of life is to not pander to these companies that are just unaccepting of the damage that they are doing. We can only invest in green electric, alternatives. There is just no way around this. We cannot keep polluting the planet and justifying that this is an okay project to make on the banks of the river that we know will call innumerable damage. Just do what is right if you have any shred of decency and you. I'm done. 
>> FRAN: Thank you Anastasia. Next up we have Becky Fletcher and then Becky will be followed by Aaron Dobie. If you could go ahead and unmute yourself Becky. Becky? All right. 
>> There I am, or I am I'm on now.
This is Becky Fletcher.
>> Great. 
>> These are desperate times, while it might bring relief to some locally it will be a far increase inflected on individuals and those far beyond these borders. I ain't ask yourself while places I love and I had the strength and privilege to visit I don't want my paintings to be near elegies to beauty to the beauty loss.
I see climate change, the lake, I saw the surrounding conifer forest turning from deep green to a dying gray. I have no words on how it tracks my heart for this slow death. And the tear of the forest and flames. The error has been on how soon we would see such catastrophic effects and I also member a time we got along fine without plastic. And flying across the immensity,[ emotional speech] we do not need more of it. Now with this  smoke and almost encircling the earth, we must have the vision to see you to a route that must slow this mountain of disaster. Not further exacerbated. I know we have the ability to find a better way forward. For the sake of our children, security and future, I call on the Department of ecology to reject the refinery instead their every resource into renewable energy sectors Thank you [ emotional speech ] 
>> Next up I have Mister Bill Kirkland I will unmute you now. 
>>  Hello can you hear me? 
>>  We can, thank you. 
>> Okay I am Bill Kirkland, is a resident of the Pacific West, wildlife photographer and outdoor enthusiast, I treasure the Columbia River. My wife and I raised our kids hiking in the nearby mountains and windsurfing on the Columbia. Unique treasure was special value in the world of the missing wild places. When I read about the proposed Kalama gas and refinery plant I was extremely concerned about the welfare of the surrounding environment. I thought it would be destructive healthcare gas emissions at a time when our planet could not afford more fossil fuel investment. What? The negative emissions would impact the environment and people from British Columbia of Washington and beyond. In addition local indigenous communities will be harmed by greenhouse gas and included water caused by for acting, the concerns are being repeatedly ignored and this moment of racial reckoning nationwide we should seek to stop further injustice. I'm also concerned that this foreign owned company has no appreciation for our land, water, wildlife and local people. Our  resources should not be compromised for a quick profit.
Once the damage has been done we are the ones left with the mass. Were scientists have warned we are a critical climate point. For all the reasons I urge the Department of ecology to redact the permit. Thank you. 
>>  Thank you for your comments Bill. Next up is an Adobe and then Anna be followed by Bill Samson. And I will unmute you now. 
>> Hello can you hear me okay? 
>> We can thank you. 
>>  Thank you for taking comments today. My name is Anna Doty and speaking on behalf of Washington environmental Council-- today to reject the speculative analysis as a basis of evaluating to Clement impacts and deny the shoreline permit for the energy for the facility. This does make some improvements by partially adjusting unrealistic the low leakage rates and finally acknowledging the likelihood that methanol produced by this facility will be used as trance rotation fuels. Despite livered efforts by Northwest innovation works to mislead your agency and the public otherwise. However the mitigation and displacement analysis is deeply concerning and is misleading and speculative and unenforceable a Sumption about this project. Dangerous to presume this analysis can accurately predict consumer behaviors or regulations for the coming four decades. The SEIS provides to do little detail on the actual mitigation that would be accomplished within this involuntary remark. Nor does it-- emissions overseas occurring. Also an X-Acto to use mitigation as a tool to simply maintain the status quo while we continue to build out the fossil fuel industry. We know that is us as usual is not-- even with all of these flaws, this announces and confirms this facility was still be become one of the greatest sources of pollution in Washington. Is unacceptable to build in a Norma's polluting facility based on speculated analysis and you should dismiss the speculative idea that this could displace even more polluting facilities and what is reasonably foreseeable and in fact assured about this project which is that it would cause millions of tons of greenhouse gas pollution each year for 40 years and inconsistent with the achieving of our climate goals. 
>> Thank you, next up, Bill Samson and Bill you will be followed by Adam Davis. You are unmuted now. You can unmute yourself and speak. 
>> Hello my name is Bill Samson and I'm calling in from Seattle and thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I have a lot of concerns about this project and I want to say first but I would like to everyone to have access to a good job and clean air and clean water and to be healthy and safe so I think fossil fuel industry, whether coal, oil, gas, it's not the way to do that but renewable energy is growing and it is the future and the projects like this, they increase instance of murdered and indigenous women, a lot of pollution and this project in particular and energy consumption is a monster and take a lot of water out of the Columbia River, this is already extremely polluted and-- extension. These are worthy indigenous people want to stay and a very important part of the-- economy for nonindigenous people as well. I have a lot of concerns about assumptions like it seemed like a gas industry report copied and and saying-- definitely for 40 years without any changes throughout the regulations and that this project is clean and the other guests will not be clean. And that all fossil fuels dash mac my time is almost up. Thank you. 
>> Thank you, Adam you are up next. You can unmute yourself. 
>> All right can you hear me okay? 
>>  I can, thank you. 
>> Good afternoon everyone my name is Adam, I lived in-- County and reside in Castle Rock with my wife and three children. I served the Western side of the state as a union rep for the local-- vendors, I have been involved and interested in this project for about six years now. During that time NWIW has continued to meet the requirements to obtain the necessary permits for this project. A lot of conditions they have far exceeded that as well. For example the projects incorporation of the 0 water discharge in the design and commitment to mitigate for 100% of emissions first day of Washington. The year-long review included the project will most likely result in reduction of 6 million tons-- carbon emissions globally. That is twice the amount of carbon emitted from the city. Some have chosen to ignore the benefits this can bring. I would say it does not stop at country's borders or state lines, in addition to this plant having a net reduction in GHG's globally there are a few benefits we will see as well such as 1000 plus local family with jobs during the  three-year construction phase. And nearly 30 to $40 million in tax revenue. I encourage you to put Washington on the map and to help decarbonized Washington and I urge you to approve the spinal permit. Thank you. 
>> Thank you Adam. We will have Bob Siegler next and then Bob will be followed by carries parks. Bob I went ahead and unmuted you. 
>> My name is Bob Zigler and I live in-- Washington and commenting as an individual, I would like to comment just as a result of some of the religious communities that played on this issue. Right now there is, we are entering into a special times, special focus on care for the earth. Both in the Jewish communities with the Jewish high holy days with Rosh Hashanah starting tomorrow and New Year's continuing October 4 and Catholic and Episcopal Lutheran communities from September 1 in until October 4th in a season of creation and looking at what we can do to protect this. I would like to point out, there is Pope Francis, and announcing the season of creation, climate restorations utmost appointments since we are in the midst of a climate emergency we are running out of time as our children and young people have reminded us. And strengthen regulation of the activities of extractive companies to ensure justice for those affected. Especially indigenous communities. I would also like to point out that I have great concerns over the mitigation proposed. Because it says mitigate hundred percent, the is more of a wish and a hope then I guarantee. There is no way to guarantee it will be the political will to do this. There will be funding for staff to do this. And this will actually be happening on the ground. And also the requirement that the mitigation be cost-effective. Really limits what can be included. I would like to close with statements of Pope Francis. Which dash mac said strategy of buying and selling carbon credits can leave a new form of speculation which will not help, reducing emission and gases worldwide. And providing a quick and easy solution under the guise of commitment to the environment. And whether a ploy that permits employing some countries and sectors. Thank you. 
>> Thank you very much. Next up is Carrie parks. Carry you can go ahead and unmute yourself. 
>> Thank you my name is Carrie parks MA third generation  Washington and I have hiked, camped and then in all parts of the state. The smoke reaching an uncontrolled forest fires, lungs burning, though it's scratchy, eyes an unusual event. Because of the fires it is unsafe to be outside and because of COVID is unsafe to be inside. This is the beginning of a new normal. The destructive effects of climate change are here now and only going to get worse. This is the third fire event in four years and in Vancouver we had as an smoke in both 2017, 2018 and now again and 2020. Wildfires are decimating Washington, Oregon and held for you. Smoke covers the entire western half of the U.S. and thousands of miles out over the Pacific ocean. I asked the park commissioners of Kalama are the jobs more important than those who have lost their homes, animals, jobs and even their lives along the West Coast?
Is your dream that great? Ten percent of or God z entire population has had to evacuate from their homes. Millions of acres have been scorched in Washington. If you allow this methanol went to go into this is the future you are locking your children and grandchildren into forever. This is not mitigatable. Deny the shoreline for this plant. Don't let them build it. 
>> We have seen several in the chat talking about technical issues as far as understanding how to you raise your hand and unmute yourself, we would like to take a pause. Just a reminder those controls should be displayed as small icons in a gray Control Panel. That is in a column. So to raise your hand you would click on that hand feature and if it is green that means you would like to raise your hand and once the arrow turns red that means your hand has already been raised.
And as well with the mute and unmute yourself, your microphone symbol is green, that means you are unmuted, on your end. But once it is read and X'd out you are remuted. So if you click on that icon and the little arrow turns red. That means that you indicated that you would like to provide comments. And with that I will turn it back over to Fran.
>> Hello I lived in a pristine area that was part of the watershed of New York City and I came out here believing that those kinds of conditions would be available to me. Right in the heart of the metropolitan area. In Portland. But since I have been here, we have seen a number of events where the threats to the environment have been impossible to avoid. It is literally in the air. The air that you breathe floating down in the form of ash so given what we know about of what are the consequences of climate change in the fact we have seen severe consequences. It's hard for me to imagine how we can consider this kind of a project that would continue to contribute massive amounts of greenhouse gases and the events that we are suffering with today due to climate change, we knew about. And we know what will happen if we do not reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that we're producing. At this point we will add 4.6 metric tons annually for the next 40 years. The arguments for it, the arguments that justify it really are speculative and strike me as being speeches. So I ask you humbly to reject this request for permanent. Thank you. 
>> Thank you Mr. Marques. Next up we have Catherine and Catherine will be followed by Frank Beverly. You can unmute yourself go ahead. 
>> I name is Catherine Xavi I'm speaking for the Oregon Conservancy foundation. We are experiencing immediate devastating impact of catastrophic climate change right now where we live, work and play. It is ironic that public hearings on this proposal are being held just as we are forced by claimant fires to closet indoors and breathe the most hazardous air in the nation into our lungs. The only way we can protect our region from the increased frequency and these destructive climate fires and toxic air pollution is to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Despite of the elusive Rosie picture by proponents and speculation, not fact, that conjectures unsupported conclusions about reducing mobile emissions sometimes in the future, your SEIS makes clear the operation of this facility will in fact pump 4.6 tons of carbon dioxide pollution for the next year and for the next 40 years into Washington. This is simply unacceptable at every level. Claiming this company with a track record of lying to those in the public, is not worth the paper is printed on. The mitigation promises a house of cards and toxic as the air we breathe and the aftermath of reaching claimant fires predicted to grow worse over time unless we set policies and make decisions that direct us away from fossil fuel facilities like this 1 this facility sentences our children to decades of adverse cost that you cannot ask them to bear. The Conservancy foundation teaches you to carefully examine the climate facts and not speculations in your own analysis. And ask that you deny the shorelines permanent and ultimately reject this refinery for the health, safety and long-term well-being of our children and the survivor of biological support systems on the planet. 
>> Thank you so much. Craig will be next and followed by dash mac Beverly. 
>> My name is Craig have really, I am 82, however you decide this, probably not affect me very much. My time is short. But I have three young grandchildren living in Tacoma, Dixon and-- speaking with them on my mind and on my heart.
They are just starting out in their lives. And your decision have huge impacts on those lives. And to start pouring carbon into the atmosphere, we have a hope of something close to a livable planet, this project is 180 ° in the wrong direction in the name of my grandchildren I ask you to turn it down. Thinking of them something else, looking ahead a time all come when either the supply of gas or the demand for methanol will dry up Northwest innovation works will make the business decision to sell or declare bankruptcy and disappear. The jobs will be gone and the people of Kalama will watch this huge Hoke standing on the shore rest over it fall apart.
The damage will be done to the town, to the river, to the water table, to the land, to the environment, to the air into the planet. And who is going to pay to clean up? Certainly not Northwest innovation. No. It  it will fall to all the rest of us.
Were a criminal diversion of tax dollars that would be when we could have stopped it right here. In the name of Viola, Dixon and Eula, I am asking you all to turn down this. 
>>  Thank you cap next up is Bob Avery and Rob will be followed by Daniel Ferris. You can go ahead and provide comment Bob. 
>>  My name is Bob Gregory I'm a resident of--  County, government counsel, I've seen and been involved with many different job creating projects close to-- County. The findings with the another project, it concludes it is time to permit the Northwest innovations project in Kalama and allow the county and comma in a tease to return to the economic vitality we have lost from the jobs that have occurred at warehouse or, fiber and the closure of-- resulting in the loss of 1000 jobs for after this project by the Department of ecology and using the most conservative approach, these examinations again clutter to conclude that the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent of twice of what the entire city of Seattle produces each year. Emits each year. Even so Northwest innovations has committed to fully mitigate all the greenhouse gas what emissions in Washington and increase our global benefit. This project is one of the most environmentally sound new projects proposed in the past decade with examples such as 0 liquid discharge, traffic impacts, no solid waste and air emissions at the Southwest pollution control levels. It's time we conclude ambiguity and moving targets in the determinant of ecology to accept its own environmental impacts city and  approve the permit. For the state of Washington. 
>>  Thank you how we will have Daniel next and Daniel will be followed by Cameron Wilkinson. Daniel should be able to go ahead now. 
>> Hello my name is Dan Sears and the conservation director with Columbia River keeper. I want to make three per main points today. First the climate methanol refinery would be a main source of rain house gas pollution. It mistreats the project would produce 4.6 million tons of greenhouse gas pollution each year. 1 million tons within Washington State along.
If all of it is combusted for fuel the number is higher. If ecology uses more numbers for methane leakage is higher. Regardless the impact would be staggering at a step from the worst impacts of lemon change.
On this basis ecology should deny the project. Secondly, every fossil fuel company has tried to claim that is other than coal or some other fossil fuel. This is a false standard.
Millennium coal try to claim cleaner coal but no one Sears I thinks shipping 44 million tons of coal would help the claimant. And trying to ship lower carbon oil but no one actually believed that shipping printer safety thousand barrels of oil a day would help the climate. Ecology will be setting a terrible precedent by allowing Northwest innovation works to claim that it would be doing anyone a favor by using shocking 320,000,000 ft. ³ of Frak aspirate date and belching millions of tons of climate pollution into the atmosphere and dumping methanol into a global arc it for decades. Third, the green economic appendix does not support conclusion that Northwest innovation works methanol would direct late displacement coal based methanol. Stating within China there is likely a preference for expanding domestic production were feasible, expanding low-cost ethanol is excited to make up the largest share of the methanol supplies in the coming years. We cannot control the decisions of other nations or predict 40 years of market shifts, technology improvements, payment policy or trade wars. The only reasonable, foreseeable impact of this project is massive pollution. Thank you and we will submit our comments in writing. 
>>  Thank you -- will be Cameron and then Cameron will be followed by Gina. 
>> 
>>  I'm taking this to menace to talk about my support of this project. And my disappointment in the constant change in expectations of these companies that are bringing transitional fuel to the state of Washington. And it seems like every year we continue to make things more extreme for them to meet the requirements to build these projects and we don't look at the science, we just do scare the communities with facts that are not, coming up with facts that are not true. Just false facts that organizations are giving out there. And this project will be a great opportunity for Washington state to produce feedstock, to better clean our climate will bully.
For manufacturing up things we all use every day. Plastic, it's in everything, our clothing, a goes down medical supplies, everything. So I am just more or less as a citizen of Calais County I'm getting very frustrated with setting the bar constantly and the other issues of the production of methanol for the forest fires, things like that. This has nothing to do with this project for forest fires are happening because we have changed regulations on the forest to clean them up. And mother nature is taking care of the problem. I just want to end with that, I support this project. Thank you. 
>> Thank you. Next up is Dena,  you should be able to provide comment now. 
>>  Thank you can you hear me? 
>>  We can. 
>> Thank you very much I am Dena speaking from Portland Oregon, less than 35 miles from Kalama,  Washington. Thank you for taking public comments. We can't breathe. This week, the letter to President Trump saying is time to abandon the disastrous course that now envelops us in spoken aspect deliberating the size of action to slow climate change must be taken on a global scale with the U.S. in the league. NWIW, SEIS tries to whitewash the issue of greenhouse gas initiatives exceeding 40 million tons per year of the proposed Kalama methanol refinery. The numbers against the larger enormous imaginary numbers for a plant will elsewhere. Saying if you don't let us build us here our corporation or another one will build a worse polluter elsewhere. The insistent has to be built and they are wrong it does not. NWIW, a Chinese government fossil fuel Corporation would become the single largest greenhouse gas polluter in Washington. Please, people of the Department of ecology, lead us to a future of clean air we can breathe. Cool, clear water, driving forest and healthy communities for your sake and for all of our to learn and grandchildren. These take the path to reducing greenhouse gas pollution and take your own mission statement to heart. Protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations. Oppose actions which will intensify the environmental segregation of our beloved Pacific Northwest. And deny carbon for building the worlds largest methanol refinery in Kalama,  thank you sincerely for your attention. 
>> Thank you Dena, next we will have-- followed by Don. 
Diane you should be able to unmute yourself and provide comments. 
>> Thank you I am Diane Dick  and a resident and setting the project for years. This would be one of the largest in the world. And told me personally it was because many pollution control centers would be too costly with CR and cheaper to take the electric power from the public grade.
Information in the air discharge permit, this refinery has the capacity to admit over 1 million metric tons of GhD's every year just on the process site. And NWIW states they will mitigate all in-state emissions and first priority will be given to projects in Tellis County, please give us specific examples of the mitigation projects and their ability to sequester read house gases from the atmosphere. The only viable way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere is bike growing trees or crops. According to the EPA greenhouse gas calculator it would take 1,306,000 acres of forest land to remove 1 million tons of this in a year. It only comprises of about seven harm forty six,000 acres. There is no way I and the NWIW will be able to mitigate the infractions and this county or all of Southwest Washington. Demand accountability for a real plan now because you surely won't get voluntary compliance later. Let NWIW one more company that tries to buy its way out of-- 
>> Thank you, 
>>  My wife and I are using the same computer and she will testify after me. I am a retired science teacher, 40 years mostly at Vancouver I with the, it had been difficult to get all the states related to a proposal. Maker requires you to  prepare a whole EIS that tells us the truth and nothing but the truth. But it gave us only part of the truth the law of speculation. I'm not even sure you read your own EIS. Did you write it? Where the remarks about this placement potentially your own? Or did they come from the proponent? Natural gas industry is the absolute master of deceit and lies. They persuaded us that most plastic is recycled.
Where it is not. They are advertising on TV and Facebook right now about the pathway, their pathway to the clean sustainable future. And all the emissions are accounted for, gases nearly as bad as coal and ethanol is worse. Methanol is the opposite and it is a pollution added product. That are to use the fuel at the source then to add the illusion generated by a methanol plant. The gas industry has known about climate change for decades. What has engaged in the campaign of deception to help sell the products. They have fooled most of the public and elected officials. Pulled the green groups as well. Until we learned about methane leaks in 2014. And out trying to full you with the displacement theory. Don't believe anything they say and get rid of the speculation and the EIS and protect the future and say no to the destruction. Now my wife who is registered to speak. 
>> Good afternoon. Name is Alina  Starkey I'm a retired RN, this is nothing but business as usual for the last many decades. We knew we had to decrease greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels in order to help the planet. Now our world is on fire, smoke is choking us making us sick and yet ecology is suggesting that it's okay to release millions of tons of house gases every year from just this one project. SEIS makes assumptions and speculations with no facts to support them.
Not only with this project, sickened local citizens and most likely we will be paying for it from our pension funds. The Chinese would build it and profit from it and our expense. Will they be required to post risk funds since the site would be built on fill in a liquefaction zone once it become a stranded asset, taxpayers will be left with the cleanup. There is no way to mitigate the climate harms for allowing additional fact projects and there is a bumper sticker that says climate change is just another way to burn in Hell. We are certainly getting a taste of that right now. And my eight-year-old grandson Marlon said I'm not having any and humans might even be extinct by then. That made me very sad. Because SEIS is grounded on the theory of displacement used on a speculative economic future. Your decision affects everyone's grandchildren. Please don't amble away their future. Deny this project. 
>> Thank you. 
>> Thank you for your comments. Next up I have Garth-- followed by Iris. You should be able to provide comment now. 
>>  Thank you can you hear me? 
>>  We can, thank you. 
>> I stated my name  is Garth Bachman, at the union workers number 48 in Portland Oregon on, jurisdiction covers Southwest Washington including that geographical works Kalama site.
I would like to endorse this project and this will provide 1,000 construction jobs over a three-year period of time and 200 permanent family wage jobs will be much-needed for the economy of Southwest Washington. And as the ecology report actually shows this facility will reduce greenhouse gas emissions every year. Our members and the community of Southwest Washington need jobs and need to get the economies stimulated and we are unemployed due to COVID, we need this project and this will provide good lasting jobs for many years to come while it's being environmentally from the at the same time. That's what I have. Thank you. 
>>  Thank you Garth. Next we have Iris and then Iris followed by Jan-- so Iris you are unmuted you should be able to provide comments. 
>> Yes can you hear me? 
>>  We can thank you. 
>>  Thank you my name is Iris dash mac I'm a resident of 30 plus years in Seattle Washington. And for the folks who have spoken in favor of this because of the need for jobs, I hear you. And being able to provide for our families. However we won't have a family if this project goes forth. Climate crisis, climate emergency is here now. And any buildout of any kind of fossil fuel project is the wrong direction and we will know this. And so let's instead turn our resources, creativity, expertise, skills, towards providing clean energy and that's where the efforts should be. Please, do not, put in fewer greenhouse gases into the air is not okay. We need to put-- thank you very much. 
>> Thank you Iris. Next up we have Jan and then Jan you will be followed by Elijah Ceja's. You should be able to unmute yourself and provide comment Jan. 
>>  All right I am ready. Hello, I'm name Hydra after the mythological creature when one of my heads get knocked off aggro tomorrow heads and growing new heads just like the expansion of the hydraulic fracking operation [ laughing ] why settle for dash mac energy when they can rely on fracking to get extreme energy. Everyone knows getting gas is hard work and it isn't easy like it used to be. Really expensive, bad for the claimant, messes up the land and the skies but for a limited time only  if you executives can rake in the moccasin to 40 years more on the methane gas. So what is the problem? Why shouldn't they bring forth the treasures of the earth? For example drilling, pumping and fracking chemicals releasing into the air and groundwater, permanently poisoning millions of gallons of clean water. I mean what is the big deal?
In the first 20 years in the atmosphere methane is the 86 times more effective, trapping heat than carbon dioxide. Northwest innovation won't leave any money in the ground will they? Just think this is their opportunity to generate up to 5 million tons of additional greenhouse gas pollution every year. According to them our planet can afford to burn up, I mean more gas. That is why I am here to thank you for trusting fossil fuel industry to do the right thing, ignore the science. And forgetting the green light to Northwest innovation works. Thank you. 
>> Thank you, next up we have Elisha and then you will be followed by Jean Avery. Elija, you should be able to unmute yourself and provide comments.  Elija if you can unmute yourself and provide comment. 
>> Yes I'm a member of the-- by creating millions of good job in renewable economy, the sunrise movement exist to break the false narrative that has been peddled by fossil fuel companies and the myth that we can't have jobs without watching the communities choke in pollution and smoke and burn and climate change driven wildfires. I'm deeply disturbed by the comments from the IVW representative and all those endorsing this for the promise of jobs. About the long-term. Please, think about teacher generations, please, we are choking on smoke and living through a pandemic and both of these crisis have been driven by the radical exploitation of our planet's  natural resources. And seeing crop failures, or more wildfires and see more pandemics and we are discussing whether to build a project that would release more than 40 million tons of CO2 for the sake of producing more plastic which already chokes our oceans. The best justification that this company has at that it might offset call power plants years from now. We cannot rely on the false assumptions and reckless financial speculations that fossil fuel companies have shoved down our throats for decades. When right now our communities are suffering and at risk. Think about what money in our emergency services, fire departments, our ports, our clean energy jobs, with that can do in the amenities. Because the fact is we cannot continue to burn fossil fuels. We cannot continue to damage habitat and put the lives of children and grandchildren at risk for corporations in such a short term. I want to close this as Tony a sake in the chemical workers understood we need a just transition for workers. And talk about how we turn the ports into climate resilient working, waterfront, this project is not that. Thank you. 
>>  Jean you should be able to unmute yourself and provide comments. 
>>  I think IMHO can you hear me? 
>>  Yes you are good. 
>> Good afternoon everyone. I am Jean Avery, resident of Vancouver Washington. We have heard components of the NWIW project say that this refinery would be good for jobs couldn't. Why would we invite more pollution into our region for 40 years? According to Sierra Club this would consume more gas than the  region z largest cities combine cap making it the largest polluter in the state by 2025. Why should this project reconsidered at all? Especially when mitigation seems vague and minimal. The second SEIS includes more than 100 pages of graphs, tables and data. And yet there are only two pages on significant impacts and mitigation. And appendix mentions voluntary emission reduction, to the extent possible. This is a vague reference to carbon markets also. So questions remain, number one, the worlds of voluntary and to the extent possible imply that NWIW does not receive it is a firm obligation. And number two, I carbon markets does it mean purchasing carbon offsets?
This would not reduce actual emissions. Number three, does ecology have resources to oversee this project? Instead ecology could focus on proactive measures for a clean energy future. Number 4, 40 years is plenty of time to enact mean energy programs. When NWIW claims its operation is less polluting and other sources and assumes other fossil fuel sources. I believe we are on the cost of a clean energy future.
It is time to say goodbye to fossil fuel projects. Please deny this project. 
>> In Q4 this comment. Next up I have Jessica you should be able to provide comments now. 
>> Okay can you hear me? 
>>  We can, thank you. 
>> My name is Jessica Zimmerli and I'm the program and-- in my work I see faith communities across the state who are doing everything that they can make their facilities more efficient and sustainable. Currently in conversation with five congregations looking at becoming net 0 carbon facilities. We are striving to be better stewards of the houses of worship because faith across all spiritual conditions causes us to care for earth and one another. We are doing what we can but sometimes we feel like prophets crying out in the wilderness. Prophets give warnings, they read the signs of the times and call out oppressive systems of power. And assigns of our time are stark.
All you need to do is look outside at the smoke hitting the region. The climate crisis is here and the communities are hurting. Please hear the prophetic try that it's time to move beyond fossil fuels. Current market conditions do not provide justification for investment in 40 years of pollution. If anything, 2020 has shown us that we cannot predict the future. And the only sure thing in this analysis is that this refinery will be a major looter. We don't have time for that. We do have time to change the market. Denying this comma is the first step to doing so. We do not have to  way this against other dirty fossil fuel facilities that don't exist. And said based on the stewardship, justice, reflected in our state s shared climate and clean energy goals. We need you to be join us as prophets, pave the path to a low carbon future. Take the moral high road. Do what is right and reject this harmful gas facility. 
>> Thank you Jessica, next up I apologize I didn't announce. John Flynn, then followed by the initials JJ and then last initial L. John go ahead and unmute you. You should be able to unmute yourself and provide comment. 
>> Test can you hear me now? My name is Don Flynn and I'm a resident of Kalama Washington and I fish in the Colombia River, and I'm adamantly opposed to the construction of the methanol refinery on the shore of the call be a river. Primarily on environmental grounds and secondarily on aesthetic grounds. Negative adverse impacts this project would have on our environment and health is even more critical today considering the catastrophic wildfires we are experiencing in Washington, Oregon and California with the associated loss of life of property. This refinery alone would emit 4.6 million nitric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually and in addition this refinery would emit 53 tons of toxic and hazardous and chemical pollutants into the air per year along with 62 tons of particular matter. It's imperative we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and toxic air pollution's rather than increase them. The vapor from the tooling towers from which millions of gallons of water will be evaporated would reach between one half to 3/4 of a mile high and 112:45-mile and a half wide. I see myself fishing with family and friends in the shadow of the world's largest methane gas methanol refinery. I urge the Department of ecology to deny any and all permits for this project. Thank you. 
>> Thank you John. Next up will be JJ L then JJ will be followed by Kate Murphy. Go ahead and unmute yourself and provide comments JJ. Okay JJ's hand has gone down. JJ I will see it come back up would you like to provide comment, if so please unmute yourself. 
>> I'm sorry I unmuted my hand rather than my microphone. Can you hear me? 
>>  We can hear you. 
>>  This methanol refinery would be going 180 ° in the wrong direction. No more fossil fuel infrastructure. We are beyond that time and considering putting this refinery in one of the largest and most treasured rivers in the nation would be beyond responsible. How to say something about mitigation which is usually the quote unquote solutions  NICU are talking about that here. The pocket gopher lives of that land and the brace will be annihilated by building this warehouse. By mitigating the process they will cut down a 70-acre forest in hopes gopher will take up residence there well known that the overhead is very finicky taste in the soils and habitat. And lose the 70 acres of trees and see the cooling, stormwater mitigation in the habitat even though no certainty that it will work and it probably won't. In the state of Washington allows this behavior not because it makes sense so that the corporations can continue to have the upper hand. It is business as usual. It mitigates nothing but destroys and keeps destroying. And cancels the voice of the people who decide it's time to stop living as if money was the only thing that mattered. And that those provide the jobs that we are hearing tested fires here say today that we need so badly. We have had enough, do the right thing, no methanol refinery. 
>> Thank you JJ.  Next up we have Kate Murphy and then we will take a five-minute break. We will return from the five-minute break in the next few speakers will be Kathleen and Kurt. Kate you should be able to unmute yourself. 
>>  Can you hear me? 
>>  Yes we can. 
>> Yes my name is Kate Murphy I'm a community organizer with Columbia River keeper. Recent weeks we have witnessed communities gathering together to show support and provide aid for those suffering unimaginable losses. Losses that are the result of unprecedented wildfires, field by ear responsible human activities and a lack of political will to value people over insatiable corporate profits. No one in our region look further than their own window to witness the effects of shortsighted decisions from those in positions of power. And now in the midst of this chaos we are here calling on you. The decision-makers at the Washington Department of ecology to fulfill your mission to protect our shared ecology so that may exist for future generations.
We are at a point in history where your decisions now truly shape the health and safety of the communities in this region and beyond for decades to come. The methanol refinery would worsen the crisis and cause comma just pollution. Urinalysis makes this clear. The project would generate 4.6 million tons of greenhouse gas pollution each year and up to 9.4 million tons of pollution if we assume a higher rate of pain releases during the fracking process. The number goes even higher if we assume all of it is burned as fuel which we know is the intention of request innovation works having advertised this liquid sunshine to investors while simultaneously misleading ecology and the public for years.
Let's see it for what it is.
A massive polluter.
You have been provided everything you need to deny this dangerous proposal.
There is no one who believes that believes will be the largest refinery will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It's your duty to look at what we now.
This proposal will be a massive polluter and total opposition to Washington's climate goals and healthy future. We deserve better and calling on you to stand up for the people of this region for our environment, for the future. We are counting on you to do the right thing and deny this gas refinery. Take you. 
>> We will take a five-minute break and return it to 35 PM and open the hearing back up. We do Kathleen and Kurt will be the next speaker.  Thank you.
>> Next up we have Kathleen. Kathleen we will go ahead and unmute you and you should be ready to admit yourself and provide comments. Kathleen it shows you are still self muted. There you go we see you now. Kathleen? I think we are having some technical challenges with Kathleen, let's go ahead and move to Kurt. While we work on those. You should be able to provide your comment now. 
>> Thank you, I was born here, went away to high school and college and law school in California but I have came back to practice law and racy family. I have three sisters and a brother and families that continue to live in Calais County. I have a  heartfelt commitment to this community.
And to make Calais County the best place it can be. Personally I have a theory that if I do all I can to improve my community and make it a better place to live and everyone did that same thing, together we could make the world a better place to live. That mindset in 2000 I ran was a listed to run on the city Council. I served cold beers on the Council and the last four of which I was Mayor city of Longview. Following that I ran for Cowlitz PD Commissioner. I can tell you being a lifelong Commissioner of Cowlitz County jobs are crucial. We have a higher unemployment rate generally. Historically it seems we have the first to lose jobs in the last to get them back. However weighing jobs against the environment is no question. I'm sitting here in my office looking out at the haze from the fires. There is no question that the environment takes precedent. The question for me becomes whether the plant will be built somewhere else. And has an insatiable appetite for plastic. Everything is made out of plastic. The computer case, the cell phone, what holds the windows in place as all plastic. And this will be built somewhere else and more polluting, the benefits to our county outweigh that. Thank you. 
>> Thank you Kurt. And try to check in with Kathleen again and then Kathleen will be followed by Jim Walsh. Kathleen you are unmuted and can provide comments. Kathleen? Okay folks-- yes Kathleen. We can hear you. 
>>  I don't know if you can hear me but I'm going to speak. In case you can. My name is Kathleen Patton and I am a 20-year resident of Cowlitz County and  like many previous speakers I want to underline any imagine ecological unfit from this power plant is based on speculation and many, many assumptions while the facts are that it would become the largest producer of methanol in the world and we need right now the only way we know right now to curve the rage of climate change and the devastation that it brings with fire and flood. Is to keep these fuels in the ground. We do not need to be creating massive amounts of infrastructure for fossil fuel companies to continue to pour pollutants into our environment. We need to put a stop to all of it now. I hope you can hear me. Thank you. 
>> Thank you Kathleen yes we were able to hear you. Next up I will have Jim Walsh and Jim will be followed by Linda. Jim you should be able to unmute yourself and provide comments. 
>> Hello I'm Jim Walsh, a steep representative in Olympia for the nineteenth district, including parts of Cowlitz county but not Kalama.  Kalama is our neighbor. And I am encouraged by the department of ecology's draft second supplemental EIS. I encourage people who are speaking on this matter to look at the draft. We have to be consistent and rational. And how we evaluate environmental impacts of industrial projects or really any projects we consider state. In order to see that consistent perspective that we need to look appropriately at this project at the global carbon impacts. What this project will do is improve the global carbon footprint of the industries around the world. It is a net green projects. And that is a good thing not only for the economy of Cowlitz County a good thing for everyone on the globe. And I must say, I'm a little this appointed and some of the overall rhetoric and attacks and comments here. Please stay rational, stay based in science and facts. And read the second supplemental. This is a good project for Cowlitz County, for the globe and for Washington. Thank you. 
>> Thank you, next we will have Linda Leonard and followed by Luke. Should be able to provide comment now. Linda? You should be able to provide comments. Okay Linda. We will go ahead and come back to you in a couple moments. Luke, you should be able to provide comments now. 
>> Can you hear me? 
>>  We can thank you Luke. 
>> Thank you my name is Luke law fee, I made business manager Local 242, I support this on many fronts, jobs obviously 1,000 construction jobs over a three-year period. 200 permanent jobs in the community and another 500 indirect jobs. Not to mention 30 to $40 million in the local tax base. Secondly technology produce methanol for natural gas is far better than for coal. Which is what the Chinese are doing without the regulations that we require. Methanol is not going way. I think it is hypocritical as we talk into plastic computers and phones and not to mention the plastic cars we drive down the road. We want these products but not in our backyard. It's always easier to say no rather than just work together to come to a common goal. All of my members are just as concerned about climate change as is everybody on the other side. So on a global level, this project is needed. That's all I have.
Thank you for your time. 
>> Thank you look. Linda, you are unmuted if you would like to provide comment now would be the time. I'm thinking Ende has technical difficulties. Will move onto the next commenters. I have-- followed by Mark.  Mr. Keely you should be able to make comments. 
>> My family is registered and they will follow me on this line rather than separate lines. Good afternoon my name is Mark Keeley I've been a resident for four years. My wife and I  move to Southwest Washington and fortunate to find a home that shares our core values. We found a quiet acre home on green mountain roads with woods and Riverview. And to develop it with rivers and walking trails was our plan. Including outdoor games, meals on our deck and River walks, and offers local recreation, antique stores and restaurants. This is a beautiful area and we were ready to work hard to make it a lifelong home. About 4.5 years ago we heard a foreign company wanted to build a chemical refinery here in Washington and here in Kalama-[cutting out] in we are not and in industrial area, what possibly could a refinery have in common with our small town? So far me and thousands of other people find it completely incompatible. With 4.6 million tons of carbon pollution spewed out every year. For 40 plus years, all I can see is the damage it will cause to the air, water, soil and everything hold dear about this area. Washington state sets a standard for clean sustainable living. That's why Gov. Ensley could not find good clear conscience to support it. I urge you to reject Northwest innovation works fossil fuel refinery. Let the Evergreen State become the green wash state. Do not allow this permit. To the right thing for the people of Washington who you are charged with protecting. Thank you and next. 
>> Hello my name is Andrea Healy, I'm in my fourth year av bachelors at Washington University and protesting the refinery for one quarter of my life. Thousands of precious hours day and night on holidays and birthdays to defeating this and telling you this to emphasize we are not here for fun, we are here because we need to ensure that Washington is headed for carbon negative future. And must be extensively considered and respected.
Every time I visit my 93-year-old father, he asked me when I plan to start a family and how many kids I want to raise. I tell him I would like to have 1 or 2 kids in my thirties. I don't tell him is that I'm terrified of what the world will look like in 20 to 30 years. Will my children have to wear a mask every where to decrease the pollutant inhalation and showing photos of a clean healthy Columbia River? Article 5 Section 1 of-- states everyone has the standard of living adequate [Indiscernible] I cannot in good function pass on to my children the burden of spending every day fighting for basic human rights.
We will not allow the consequences of the consumption of the world's largest methanol refinery here, the consequences are unavoidable and Columbia is the GESS River in our region, loosing toxins into the air that is usually clean and healthy. And the greenhouse gases. It is your mission to preserve, protect and enhance ecology and counting on you to quash this fossil fuel project.
We believe we can do other than to enforce a fossil gas dependent economy. I'm here to ask you with utmost earnestness to please deny the permits for the proposed methanol refinery.
With that will pass it on to Sally Keeley. 
>> Hello, my name is Sally Keeley I'm an educator mother and longtime resident of Kalama,  my husband and I own five acres home outside of the city. Have been working actively to stop the refinery for 4.5 years. As a mathematician I would normally provide you with a numerical analysis as I carefully read every page of the SEIS Bible reserve written comments yesterday want to speak for my heart. This is a climate disaster, we cannot afford the 4.6 million metric tons of carbon and report it will create every year for 40 years, we don't have time. We are in a climate emergency. That climate catastrophe is causing loss of life, land and livelihoods right now. You only need to look out the window to see in the global-- these are becoming more common and worsening each year our homes are on fire, the forest are on fire, the planet is on fire. My 18-year-old daughter has come of age during this crisis. If we don't reduce the emissions now she will have a future filled with extreme weather conditions, droughts, wildfires and other poor air all the. All parents want better life for their children. What happens when she wants to have a child? She would be a fantastic nurturing mother. Will she be forced into a vision of going childless not bring a child into a world overwhelmed by climate, pollution driven. How dare we put our children in that predicament. You have the ability to protect the people of Washington State young and old. That is your mission. You have the power to say no, I urge you to reject the shorelines permits for NWIW plant Thank you. 
>> Thank you everyone next up I show Mark Wegner and then check back with Linda Leonard. Market should be able to make comment now. 
>> Thank you my name is Mark Raker the executive secretary of Washington State building and construction trades Council representing approximately 80,000 construction workers here in Washington state. We strongly support this project, permitting of this project. Archly due to the fact that the process which has been followed for approximately seven years now has been extremely thorough. Both sides, the proponents and the opponents of this project, have had many times to weigh in, many public comments and attended many hearings and provided all the data required for proper robust study. Department of ecology has studied and studied and studied it. The outcome is that it will be a net reduction of 6 million metric tons over what would happen if it were not in place. Those are positive changes. I think that the environmental advocacy amenity can take rate pride in making this proposal if it comes to pass, the cleanest methanol manufacturing plants on the planet. That is a net victory. And it has led to many frustrations. And we get that picked this is an emotional argument for all of us. The benefits from my perspective would be jobs. Need the jobs. But on a personal note I have property in Bridgeport. Just last Friday night I stood on the banks of the Columbia watching the wildfires -- and this is not something I see in a photograph, something I live I'm very well aware of it and because both sides have stakes of opposite positions we make progress. We have to make progress. This project makes progress and we need that to Luke forward. I'm about to be a grandfather at the end of October and my granddaughter, she deserves us to make progress and leave her a better plan as to all of our children Thank you. 
>> Thank you Mark. Going to check back in with Linda and next up will be Mark Euhart. 
>> Now you are good. Talk. 
>> Can you hear me? 
>>  Yes please provide your comments. 
>> Thank you very much Linda Leonard I'm a resident of Kalama,  make no mistake about it the state of Washington and the world does not need the proposed methanol refinery to be built spirit Northwest innovation works has used the rationale, the facility will cause a net reduction in current greenhouse gas emission levels by forcing Chinese to call methanol facilities off-line. Ecologies analysis, the current global reet house gas emissions would increase substantially if this project were built spirit but perhaps not as substantially as if China's methanol demands were not met by other sources. The analysis of methanol markets for export facilities have impact analysis summary breeds, what would happen if the markets, the KMMEF were not to go into operation? The analysis of methanol supply in China shows there is existing capacity in China to increase methanol production and growing demands. This is expected to be supplied from coal-based methanol, lowest cost producer in China. Additional demand will be met with natural gas-based import which are also low. NWIW's facility is expected to be one of the lowest cost of these producers. But absent Kalama manufacturing and export facility other low-cost natural gas-based exporters would also supply the growing market in China. Thank you. 
>> Thank you Linda. Next up we will have Mark and he will be followed by Mary Patterson. Mark you should be able to provide your comments. 
>> Thank you, my name is Mark, we live in the foothills overlooking the Columbia River. We are against this project. We purchased this property so we can enjoy the unobstructed view of the Columbia River and enjoy recreation and dining in the local area how we walk, hike and bicycle and kayak the Columbia River. Most importantly, I'm concerned about the future of my children and grandchildren. It's hard for me to count on my hand why anyone in this area would support a project that would adversely  impact their health and overall quality of life. And offset of 40 years of dirty air and water cut noise and landscape pollution, and definite impact on climate change. I grew up in Southern California next to the oilfields and refineries. During my career I was stationed in Texas and observed the stinky and noisy refineries along the coastline. Trust me, we don't want to smell, we don't want the noise and the water and air pollution and the landscape pollution this facility will create. It will be in our backyard. I spent three days reading and dissecting the facts on the entire second supplemental EIS. The voluntary framework mitigation presented in appendix D is laughable.
By using the term in-state, Northwest innovation works is not willing to negate GHG's outside the state of Washington. This includes the fusion of methane and methanol burn and transport to China and as a fuel for the production. This is only one of the many glaring errors I saw and I will put the rest in writing. This project is a climate killer and the only responsible decision is for ecology to deny the shoreline permit. Thank you. 
>>  Thank you Mark. Next we will have very Patterson and Mary will be followed by Matt. Should be able to provide comment now Mary. 
>>  Thank you can you hear me? 
>>  Yes we can hear you. 
>> Great, good afternoon to the washington Department of ecology and everyone hear from the communities. Someday I hope to be on the same side and we are working for green jobs. I am married Patterson, descendent of Scottish, Irish and-- immigrants. My grandfather grew up never knowing his own father who was killed any coal mine accident in Scotland's. Fast-forward 2020, my own daughter is an environmental engineer in California state government. Trying to restrain the fossil fuel industry a which continues to hold us in its tentacles. After more than five generations of fossil fuels, isn't finally time to say no and keep all fossil fuels in the ground were mother nature indeed put them? Two specific points,  the first one the impacts of the fossil fuels in the U.S. or China for plastic or for fuel is immorally narrow comparison. In comparison with nobles is essential for any series evaluation. I believe it is missing from this. Second, on the question of leaks and fires during the entire lifecycle of methane, methanol, plastic and fuel, did the authors of the SEIS consult experts at Cornell University?
Did the authors or any of you here today viewed the video of called chasing methane on YouTube, again chasing methane on YouTube or anyone interested. According to Noah, Lake are not 1 or 2 or 3% speculative report but some cases over 10%. Fails to use top-down leak measurements and thank you very much. 
>> Matt you should be able to  provide comment now. 
>> And Q I'm an environmental scientist and we recently moved out from the keys, because the hurricanes was becoming unbearable. As close as everyone knows the West Coast is now on fire. Great place to move. Laura Watson if you have any question about whether this is a change that is good, wake up and smell the shitty air, in a global scientist will tell you we are just starting to feel the effects of climate change. The methanol refinery would release smoke into the air and that doesn't care about boundaries, those would be just about your family and mine. If we don't burn the soil, the process these chemicals that someone else will cut does not make it true or right. If we as a society ever want to move away from fossil fuels, we need to stop subsidizing these and industries with taxpayer money. I understand there's a lot of washer and money behind this project. We all know it is wrong. Even the business behind it knows it's wrong. They just care more about the money in the short term. I beg you as a fellow lover of the state and someone just wanting to raise their family and a beautiful, or just place. Please take a stand and denied this project. Thank you. 
>>  Thank you Matt, X we have Melanie and Melanie will be followed by Michael Bridges. You should be able to provide comment now. You still show yourself dead. 
>>  Hello this is Melanie cloud, today I'm testifying as salmon, I'm only sorry you can't see my lovely fins and tail. The trouble with using humans to tell a story is they freak on climate change.
Let me lay out the facts. Global warming threatens the survival of salmon, dunk salmon die on the water warms above a certain threshold and droughts can leave salmon stranded or exposed to  predators and warmer temperatures increase fish diseases. Including toxic algae blooms. Northwest innovation works contents building the methanol plant will not increase global warming. But this flies in the face of fishy logic. They rely on the high speculative notion that coal will continue to be the substrate of choice for plastics production in China and that plastics production will continue to increase unabated for the next 40 years. It makes no sense to put a rosy shine on this by comparing it to the most worst imaginable scenario. Go back to the drawing board, don't be afraid to rely on science over politics and speculation. Wherever we are in this planet we face the climate effects of fossil fuels. We must be aware and share our stories. So pool up your friend, your community, state agencies and other allies in the rough waters. Make them copy and get them pointed into the current. Onward and upstream. Thank you Melanie. We have Michael Bridges and followed by Michael Mayer.
You should be able to unmute yourself and provide comment. 
>> [Speaker away from microphone] 
>> We can barely hear you. 
>> Okay is that better? Okay sorry for the record my name is Mike urges and I'm a father of two teenage children who spent most of our days at work or school and the call me River. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to give comment on behalf of myself and the thousands of building trades men and women I represent as resident along the construction trades Council. And is this rep for IDW Local 48. I would like to go on record and say that IDW and the rest of the building trades are eating the way into renewable energy and we work with our partners all over the nation and in Washington state on solar, wind and any other options that come up. We are not climate deniers. We are leading the way on this.
That's why we support this project. But going back to the local billing traits and affiliates partnered with Northwest innovations to maximize this investment in the region. Along with that, one of the goals was also to help protect the environment and the beautiful Columbia River we all love and rely on so much. Early on we found the innovation shared the same values and over the last six years have back that up with commitments to 0 liquid discharge and technologies and 100 percent mitigation plan for Washington state. We are very excited about the opportunity to move this project forward and I would say equally excited that we have a project that has helped a new higher standard for the environment and future development along the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon on. With that would urge the Department of ecology to expedite any process left so we can start building this facility and we can start reducing read house gases as soon as possible. Thank you. 
>> Next up we have Michael and followed by Mike Hoyer. 
>> 
>>  I run a sustainability insulting firm and Seattle cyan strategies in the former director of the office of sustainability environment. Three years ago many of the environmental unity question global greenhouse gas impacts of the project. And it found the additional analysis was necessary before permitting work that was completed last year and many environmentalists to have additional questions. And determining the comments on that draft warranted additional discussion, climate impacts and that led to the publication of the second supplemental gas. Environmentalists have asked good questions along the way. They asked ecology to analyze what would happen if methanol was used for fuel. The answer is that the project will reduce global department admissions by 6 million metric tons. They asked ecology to increase the upstream method rate, 3%, it will still produce global emissions by 5.5 million metric tons. A 20-year global warming potential, the answer is noble carbon emissions reduced by additional 1.5 million tons. And ask what would happen if the methanol did not displace hundred percent cold methanol. The answer is that the global apartment emissions would be reduced between 2.6 and 7.8 million metric tons. Environmental friends have asked good questions about the climate impacts of this plants. And the port studied the study and now ecology has studied the question and the answers have been the same. This plant will reduce double greenhouse gases by extraordinary amounts. And the latest analysis of the equivalent amount of carbon emissions from the cities of Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma combine. Now they have been answered is time to take action to address climate change and build-- thank you. 
>> Thank you Michael. Next up, Mike Hoyer and then followed by Rachel-- should be able to provide your comment now. 
>> Ink you very much for let me speak here today. Hello my name is Mike Ruger and I'm speaking here as an individual and not as mayor of Kalama.  I am opposed and some of the issues I will speak on now. The Northwest energy and for structure as a real thing, looming energy shortage caused by this resource monster will have the devastating effects on the local and state economy. Over two thirds of all average days demand that gas and Northwest pipeline and 100 µW of clean hydropower combined with 4 million gallons of water all  used by one customer. Is unacceptable. This perfectly design weapon to take out all the natural resources at one time. Way to shut down all the coal fire power plants supply firm renewable energy and meet the future needs in order to expand or start a new large energy manufacturing company. Without serious constraints. A 3 to 5-year past history of gas availability in order to study or to prove that there has been 320 million firms available, 247, rendered 65 days a year. And be not one winter day that would be even close to capacity. And also would like to see if the natural gas increase caused by the natural gas to world markets would cause paper mills and large industrial users to use higher carbon footprint opens like biomass oil or other fuel gas prices. It is up to China, not America to use the best way of making future refineries and be a partner for global reductions for future generations.
Thank you very much. 
>> Next we have Rachel and then followed by Richard. 
>> Hello my name is Rachel Hogan and eight resident of Seattle, the  territory of dash mac people. I had to run for my life, from a place where the drinking water was poisoned, people and animals were being poisoned years after the industry left. I cannot even brush my teeth and it or shower.
I know firsthand the devastation of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
I know what these things are like firsthand and that's why I am here. And now you don't need to use your imagination to understand the gravity of climate change. Because for most people things maybe just got real. This is exactly what economic totality looks like if Northwest innovation works guess to build. How many of us have lost our jobs? Not all prisoners inside of it are lucky. Our economy already in the toilet. About the draft analysis on the methanol refinery without touching on how damning it would be for water, upstream, on-site and downstream literally and not even adjusting for the low leakage figures by including top-down measurements on the estimates using U.S. locations. This massive refinery is expected to release at least 4.6 million tons of GHGs into the atmosphere each year. And it does not and will not meet the states climate goals. Period.  Meanwhile our kids are not having a childhood. They are suffering in every way, this is being framed as a lesser evil or, it is shameful and absolutely sickening. We are counting on you to say no. Reject the permit and allow for the creativity that comes out of necessity for better solutions. Ink you for your time. 
>>  Thank you so much. Next up we have Richard R Scholl, Richard will be followed by Rick Davenport. Richard you should be able to make comment. 
>> Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak. This methanol proposal is extraordinarily pessimistic, economic analysis behind the tired fossil fuel argument of better than the alternative as shoddy and speculative. No possible progress in this type of analysis. Ingenuity or creativity and no acknowledgment of technical policy innovations. From a policy standpoint, it is crazy to believe that societies across the globe will not demand cleaner economic processes and less pollution. Looking our own situation. Early this year we had a example of much cleaner air.
Number of people comment about how amazing it was in this past week we literally have a taste of the worst air pollution in the world. People everywhere want cleaner air and demand of the government for less pollution.
From a technology standpoint we can and will do better. Right now renewable energies with a form of new energy in most places in the world. What we have done with renewables is an amazing achievement of human engineered he and hard work applied to process improvement. This methanol postal on the other hand is a last gas effort-- the only thing green about this proposal would be the use of our federally subsidized clean renewable electricity to run the plant. That is our energy and better uses including heating and cooling our homes, hopefully reducing emissions from our cars so we can have inner air. Please analyze this proposal for what it is. An unmitigated fossil fuel export proposal with no hope of captured or sequestered emissions. Please don't rely on pessimistic speculation, relax analytic rigor that has technical advancements and renewable energies and discounts a livable planet and clean air. Thank you 
>> Thank you, next we have Rick and followed by Rob Harris. Go ahead and provide your comments. 
>> Let me see if I have this right, the applicant says Washington state, that plastic demand is so strong, now and for the next 40 years, that if they don't build the 40-year project with Frak gas ink China, China will build using cold by the same time the applicant sends out written information to potential investors telling them they will not produce last take and it is not profitable enough that they will produce fuel. Than the applicant says it's crystal ball shows a 40-year sustained demand for gas plastic at a time when there is as we speak a crushed world opinion and capital to remove plastic substitutes from sustainable resources and not fossil fuels. Then applicant says global emissions will be reduced if that permit is granted to them from the cold plant fire and China. The emissions or coal emissions, how about considering better options over the next order years. Isn't that your mission statement? To protect, preserve and enhance the environment? For current and future veneration's? I do not understand for the life of me you would put yourself into the box where the applicant-- you have the worst greenhouse gas emitter on the planet. That the government of Canada fully known as Northwest innovations-- the greenhouse gas emissions anytime and it can be deadly just to walk outside in Kalama and breathe the air. Because of climate impacts. This is a company that is already straightfaced lie to you about what they are going to do if they talk about on the other side of their mouth and say oh yeah will make plastic just give us the permit. Asked what that plastic market is much less profitable then expert reports circulating in China. Just incinerate any access. Not recycle it. Putting even more emissions into the air. They can't be trusted an downright dangerous. 
>> Thank you can't remind folks that the comment time is two minutes. We have quite a few people to get through this afternoon. If you could please be mindful of that. And always submit additional comments in writing. Next up I show Mr. Rob Harris and Mr. Harris followed by Rory--. You should be able to provide comment now.
>> --Manufacturing facilities that provides paper and cardboard for all the purchasing being made by Amazon, that is the preferred rate of shopping these days. Not to mention the bulk of the power coming from the coal-fired facility-- which I think everyone will like to see transition to a cleaner, burning fuel. I support of our mental action. I support advancement and transitional fuels and feedstocks and I support the Kalama process and innovation works. We need this in our community, it's a progressive step,  we cannot cut off our nose despite our face angle from where we are today 20. And maintain any quality of life, people in Southwest Washington have enjoyed, hunting, fishing, boating, coexisting with industrial and a factoring for the last 90 years. So climate commissioners. The DOE, it's time to approve this project. Give all waited too long. 
>> Thank you Mr. Harris. Next we will have Rory followed by Ruth. Should be able to provide comment now. 
>> Hello my name is Rory and I live across the Columbia in Portland. I today I am urging you to reject the proposal that would present a great risk to our communities any huge setback in the efforts for greenhouse gas emissions. We need to transfer fossil fuels and not-- by any measure the quality of life in the Pacific West is determined by the health of the land, air and water. Oxygen that we breathe. The food we eat, natural places we go to boost the well-being and spent time with family and friends and none of these things are guaranteed to us or future generations unless we take care of our planet. The methanol guarantees for one thing for people in the U.S. Decades of pollution at extraordinary cost an enormous setback in the region's efforts to contact climate change, for the goals of the department of ecology to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. The state of Washington must transition fossil fuels and begin fighting the climate crisis at the skill that scientists say is necessary. For my family, for your family, for the sake of our legacy to the next generation I am calling on you to reject the methanol refinery and to deny the shorelines permit for the projects. Thank you. 
>>  Thank you Rory. Next up we will have Ruth Dallas and then Ruth will be followed by Seth. Should be able to provide comments. 
>>  Hello can you hear me? 
>>  We can, thank you. 
>> My name is Ruth Dallas, I'm not a scientist but I'm a nurse and mother and grandmother. I would like to speak from my heart. The dangers of fossil fuel are no longer in question. One does not need to visit the site of an environmental group rate of the imminent dangers of continuing use of fossil fuel. One can read this information on multiple government sites including NASA, the Defense Department as well. It is madness at this point to argue that building one type of fossil fuel Lance is okay because it is not as bad as some other type of fossil fuel. The Department of ecology have the responsibility to protect the environment and you have an awesome power. Give the power to protect your children and mine from the ravages of climate change. I ask you a simple question today. When will you decide that no number of jobs and no increase in your tax base is worth the well-being of our children and  grandchildren? When you're grand children ask what you did to protect them and all the people in this client from climate change what will you tell them? Thank you. 
>> Thank you Ruth We have Seth and then Seth we will have followed by Sharon 
>> Hello I'm an organizer your with the CR club. I represent 3.8 million supporters across the country counting on you to deny this project.
The club z mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. This project would destroy the local environment, while massively intervening to global warming and working to stop it. I would like to remind you as others have, of your mission statements. The Department of ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's land, air and water for current and future generations. Approval of this project would be counter to your mission. Especially frustrated with your displacement here he and the SSEIS, I have a Masters degree in economics and I can tell you any economic analysis is only as good as its assumptions. The scenarios don't assume any human agency to avoid our own demise back and therefore fails to assume self interested rational actors as we like to do an economic theory. Look outside. Our region is burning. There were boats, for love fossil fuels off the coast of California that have nowhere to go. Our world is on the brink of radical social change and you can't predict fossil fuels future without predicting human extinction. We don't need cleaner fossil fuels, we need to stop using fossil fuels period. I for one and working toward a future where my 4-year-old nephew will have an environment to enjoy. And where his kids can go out in the summer without a respirator. Please join me. Fight for a future where our children and their children can survive. It's simple please deny the project. And Q. 
>> Thank you. Next up I have Sharon followed by Sharon Hanley. 
>> Hello my name is Dr. Sharon Busher, I practice pediatrics in Vancouver for 35 years and lived in Battleground Washington. I first learned about greenhouse gases global warming, and premed classes in the seventies. It took 20 years to make it to the front page of time magazine. In the early nineties. It is now more than 30 years and we have yet to take adequate steps to address this crisis. It is or fined to me that this project is even being considered all we are in the midst of a climate emergency. In Los Angeles where I grew up, they recently recorded the highest number ever, 121 °, try living in that. I sympathize with you who need jobs who are in the building trades but guess what? The global South will need the buildings will make. To live and leave it, they are coming. We still have rain. We still have water. This project will emit tons of greenhouse gases and it will use up tons of water. It will pollute the water use to Frak the wells. The  lateral pipeline will take animals used for domain. Not for the common good but for the profit of the Chinese company. The methanol is likely to be used for making plastic. And this is a world, that is drowning in plastic, which we were told to be recycled for those profiting from its manufacture. In the same way we are being told speculation about how this project will actually lower greenhouse gases which is truly laughable. We need a stable agriculture, livable climate, don't do it. Deny the comments. 
>> Thank you And show Sherry, followed by Ted. Sherry you should be admitted now.
To provide comments. 
>> Okay thank you, can you hear me? 
>> We can. 
>> So my name is Sherry Hirsch and I live in Spokane Washington.  I am a concern citizen and grandkids that live near Longview, I'm against the project, against Canadian company shipping Frak gas to our state were a Chinese company to use our water to convert it to methanol. And then shipped back to China to make plastic or used for fuel. Or water and air are not for sale.
To make more plastic and bird methanol for Canadian and Chinese companies. Also the fires polluting the air now in Washington states are partly caused by drought in California, Washington and Oregon on. Millions of gallons of water are used for fracking oil. And there are millions of them. And this project would encourage more fracking and make our drought worse. Or fire equals more loss of life, property, unhealthy air and making everything unhealthy. My grandkids play in that water there. And now my granddaughter has trouble breathing. We need to invest in clean energy, I have been taking a poll on how many people are against this project.
I counted so far 51 to 11. 51 against, and please listen to the numbers and deny this project. Thank you. 
>>  Thank you Sherry, step we have Ted and Ted will be followed by Marilyn Cornell. Thank you for providing comment. 
>> Thank you very much for your time.
My name is Ted, I'm the president of the nonprofit-- economic development Council, I have lived in Longview with my wife and children for 20 years. Academic develop my counsel is a membership raised operation since 1979.
Since COVID began we have helped administer over $3.5 million to small business in Cowlitz County. The business open and people employed. Jobs and work our vital. In many ways, job defines who we are. And gives us pride and a sense of purpose in life. This project will provide vital jobs for our local families. Also it is a capital investment made by private sector companies that pay for the services that we all enjoy as part of a society government, infrastructure or sustainable without private sector investment. I can appreciate the intense scrutiny the Department of ecology has put this project through for the last six years. In my 25 years and economic development I have never seen a company be as innovative as this one from 0 liquid discharge, negating GHG's in Washington  state, the innovation Works has met and exceeded all environment to hurdles put in front of them. Additionally the report of climate specifically prohibits the use of fuel so I don't even understand why that is part of the survey. Nevertheless I appreciate your time. Thank you very much and let's build this facility. 
>>  Thank you Ted We will have Marilyn Cornell followed by Theodora Sonia's. Marilyn you should be able to provide, now. You need to unmute to do so. Marilyn will you provide comments? Okay be having some technical challenges. Will come back to Marilyn and a moment. Let's go to Theodora Sonia's. You can go ahead and provide comments. 
>> Good afternoon, I'm Dr. Theodora s address, environment, health scientist and epidemiologist with over 44 years experience evaluating effects of environmental pollutants. I fear the Washington Department of ecology is not taking science seriously. And a spokesperson for ecology concludes that read house gas emissions would reduce market this plant were operating then if it were not. This conclusion depends on other less efficient plants, seeking operations if this plant were operating. There is no way to know this and it would
 Increase gas emissions in order to have a  livable future. When there is overwhelming scientific evidence that we must make drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions now.
We can't afford to go down this suicidal path. We are assaulted by catastrophic climate disruption causing increased heat, droughts, wildfires, and breathable air, increased illness and death from heat, storms, diseases, no mac of lung disease, aggravated by air pollution, displacing thousands of  people and what more of a wake-up call do you need? Please deny the shorelines permit and reject this proposal. 
>>  Thank you for your comment. Marilyn, I will unmute you and the opportunity to try to comment again. Following Marilyn will be Teresa. Marilyn korma would you like to provide comment? I think she might be having technical challenges. We will go to the next commenter which will be Teresa and then Teresa will be followed by Tracy Sarah bola. 
>>  Can you hear me? 
>>  Like many others I find myself wanting to curl up and cry. I cry for the insatiable inevitable consumption, and all the awful events that have culminated in 2020. I would have my sliding door open all the methanol comments to the sound of windchimes and Words. I would enjoy the trickle of water out on the yard custody there are no birds. There is no win. Toxic smoke-filled air subtle over the region for weeks now. The projected onshore wind and rain did not wash away our sins. The high range test kit I use to maintain the health of my face. Outdoor cat has happily become an indoor cat. I am one of the lucky ones. I still have a home to take refuge in. For now. Given the current limited understanding of mother nature and our fast-changing environment, it is clear that any scientific rejections made in the SEIS should be taken with a grain of salt. Please don't take offense, these are unpredictable times. Due to the current state of the environment, mitigation efforts must be carried out before any permits are issued. And those mitigation efforts must be based on the full lifecycle analysis. Because we all know right now that the Oregon smoke did not stay in Oregon on. And imagine under the current layer of smoke we now have a trapped layer of Northwest innovation Works fine particular matter insisting of heavy metals and percentages. The plan indicates neither party believes negation can be achieved. Because really how can you mitigate an earthquake. How can you mitigate fracking? You don't.
You just live with that.
You live with air you can't breathe, water you can't drink catfish you can't eat, let this be your legacy. Deny permits for innovation works. 
>> Next up I showed Tracy and then Tina after Tracy. 
>>-- A new fossil fuel facility will help the climates. Seeing this will help the claimant is like saying-- the grave is the one we are digging for ourselves. To put this in perspective the head of research, Exxon, that few people felt the world has entered into a translation away from dependence upon fossil fuels and towards a certain mix of renewable resources that will not pose greenhouse gas accumulation. The only question he said was how fast that would happen. Can you imagine them knowing that we are debating here per meeting in new fossil fuel facility 38 years later. And saying that we are hypocritical for wanting to deny the permit because we use plastic is ridiculous. If Northwest innovation Works was truly innovative, the focus on developing new ways to create plastics with suitable resources and without using a new fossil fuels. I ask that you deny permits for this project once and for all, thank you. 
>>  Thank you Tracy, next up is Tina and then I will come back to Marilyn Cornwall. Tina you should be able to provide comments. 
>> Okay can you hear me? 
>> Yes. 
>> Okay thank you. My name is Tina break field, I live in Vancouver and work as a stay-at-home mother to a 3-year-old daughter in run a sustainability law. I've come here today to talk about the refined ability project and how and why against it. Most of what I've written has been talked about and multiple other comments so I will go ahead and skip over those. One thing I will bring up and I always found this very interesting and no one has mentioned this yet. Is that while we are having the wildfires going on here there are at this moment five tropical cyclones that are simultaneously moving through the Atlantic right now. Now one of them, Sally finally hit yesterday the Florida Alabama border and unleashed the inches of rain in about four hours. That is about 30 months worth of rain and four hours. I'm from Austin Texas and I know someone recently came on and spoke about people from the South moving here.
It is happening because I am one of them. I was born in 1979 which was the first year that they did I think a climate change analysis. And for the entirety of my life, I have been watching things change. From when I was a young child until now. I have been dealing with, in Texas, 115 up to 120 ° summers nonstop for years now. People will be leaving that region. Because it will become inhabitable. And lastly I would like to say real quick, some numbers here. Someone mentioned we have a project giving 30 to $40 million in revenue. You know how much damage the fires will do, 130 to 150 billion in losses. So from million 2 billion do the mass. And reject this project and the refinery in the shoreline project for this. Thank you. 
>> You Tina. Next we will trying Marilyn Carmel and then after Marilyn we will go to Brian Terrell. You should be able to pre- I muted and provide comments. 
>>  Yes can you hear me? 
>>  Yes we can. 
>> My name is Rev. Dr. Marilyn Carmel, I may retired Episcopal priest, scientist and member of ort of earth ministry. A person of faith I believe in a just and sustainable future. And clean air, clearing skies, clean water and abundant water are the birthright of all created beings. That sustainable future is at great risk.
I know a bit about the risk of fossil fuel plants for communities near them. I did my graduate work and self Texas where air and water pollution from oil and chemical plants has devastated human communities and the oceans living creatures. With long-term consequences for all the environmental of a station caused by the gas refined into methanol begins  right where it is ran into the ground. I listened to the-- what the land and his family for over 150 years, because of Frank mining his family can no longer use it to drink. Leaks during fracking, transportation, refining it into methanol and then shipping the methanol overseas for youth are linked in a chain of illusion around the neck of the people and creatures of this plan. That was regularly contribute to greenhouse gas pollution. The cry that we cannot breathe becomes even greater if that chain tightens. Is the moral and spiritual obligation to confront the misinformation, speculation and omissions about the environmental effects of ethanol production by NWIW. The environmental cost to the many far outweigh any profit that would be made by the few. I urge you to deny the shoreline permit for the plant. The lives of the most vulnerable among us and those in future generations depend on it. Thank you. 
>>  Thank you for your comments. Next dash mac and finally followed by Chris. Brian you should be able to provide your comments now. Okay Chris you should be able to unmute yourself to provide comments. 
>> Hello my name is Chris can you hear me okay? 
>>  Yes we can hear you. 
>>  I'm a resident of Washington, a concerned citizen. And I am here to oppose this project. I do want to thank you for your time. To take public comments. And that is really the issue we have here is an issue of time. We don't have time to be screwing around with fossil fuel projects anymore. Now is the time to invest in clean energy, now is the time to rebuild our environment, now is the time to get rid of artisan ship and come together and work towards a solution. Now I understand the communities where this project will be built, need jobs and need work. I'm very sympathetic to that. I believe every person has a right to a dignified life. And what I think we can do instead is we can look towards other projects. We can look towards renewable energy projects. You know the obvious ones. Solar, wind. There is no stuff being developed, waves offshore. Capturing energy from the water and there is other types of energy are not electricity. We have destroyed 30% of arable soil on this planet. We need to start rebuilding ecosystems.  We need to restart holding the bio diversity. These are projects that Northwest innovation would be more than capable of doing an awesome job. They have the manpower, they have the machines. And they have the knowledge. So I urge them to look towards other solutions. Thank you. 
>> Thank you Chris. Brian I will unmute you, you have the opportunity to provide comments. Okay. Looks like Ryan is not able to provide comment at this time. Right now I am seeing the everyone that raised their hand has had an opportunity to provide comments. We will take a five-minute break. When we return I will hold the hearing for any additional raised hands, and then close out the hearing. 
>> JAYNE (Captioner): Five-minute break ending at 3:51 PM.
 
>> I will get started with Ryan followed by Mason Evans. Ryan you should be able to provide comment now. 
>> Okay can you hear me? 
>>  We can, thank you. 
>> Thank you name is Ryan Mullen, I may Local 26 member, 27-year member. I work in the building trades as construction electrician, wireman, I've worked on many of these industrial projects. Nuclear power houses, dams, all of these kind of things. Mills, these are good jobs. This job is environmental friendly, I've heard a lot of talk on here about how it is not. The science shows that it is. I was to talk about some green jobs. There is a windfarm being built right now in Lewis County. And there was opposition to that. That is a green job. Deposition was for whatever reason. But that is a green job. And we need to move this project forward and I'm in support of this project. We need to get this, that economy going. That community going. And I want to thank you for your time. And thank everyone for their comments. 
>>  Thank you Brian cap next we will have Mason Evans and Mason will be followed by Victoria. Mason you should be able to provide comment now. 
>> Hello my name is Mason Evans, I'm the president of JH Kelly, road union construction firm headquartered in Longview Washington. I value environment and support actions that reduce double greenhouse gases particularly use of transitional feedstocks and new manufacturing technologies. I support the methanol project because it brings much-needed jobs to Cowlitz County, the features that benefit the local environment such as ultralow emissions technology and equipment to mitigate for Washington air emissions. Must import lien the project reduces global greenhouse gases. After reviewing the supplemental EIS feel it a methodology to review the project.
For these reasons I ask the department of ecology to accept the conclusions and issues the shoreline and other necessary permits for the ethanol facility. Thank you. 
>> Thank you, next up Victoria-- and followed by Mary. Victoria should be able to provide comments now. 
>> Hello can you hear me? 
>>  We can, Thank you. 
>> Hello there my name is Tori and I'm an organizer with Sierra Club. This past week I've actually been replaying in my mind the first moments I learned about how dire the crisis became back when I was in college. And the-- pandemic them back to my dorm room where my roommate was here. I told her it this will be wild, you are going to be wearing gas mask for the time we are 50. That was nine years ago. I'm now 28 in my career is this. Trying to convince decision-makers to stop digging a hole for us when the facts are in our face. Now I am wearing a gas mask to the grocery store and to be honest it feels increasingly more like  a dark comedy skit. Were people will spend the science so they can keep the business as usual. And we are putting the personal incidents of sight. This SEIS continues to  use low estimates. And proportion of gas emitted-- only 4.6%, for underreported leaks in Canada. SEIS to be revised to the scenario in the high scenario would be 3% to capture the range of attentional upstream proportion of the projects emissions. Because the truth is that gas leaks all over the place. Significantly. Methane in this game is estimated at every stage of extraction, transport and aggression including Canadian progression. And describing the extensive field research in the investigation yields multiple issues including chronic under counting emissions gas wells. Little to no government oversight. Direct venting of. Methane an ongoing leakage from defect wells and reported in the watershed-- 
>> I have to cut your comment off. We ask that you submit the larger comets over the two minutes, please submit those in writing. When I close out the hearing I will go over that information on how to do so. Next up, I show Mary Lou Dickerson. Mary Lou you should be able to provide comment. 
>>  Hello this is retired state represented Mary Lou Dickerson, I lived in Seattle in the past two weeks my fellow residents have been choking on smoke caused by the fires pick these are directly related to climate change as has been noted by the governors of Washington and Oregon on. I care about the siding of this plant because I love the Northwest. I don't want it to be unnecessarily harmed by the huge influx of greenhouse gases that will result from the refinery. The analysis demonstrates refinery will cause 4.6 million tons of carbon pollution each year for 40 years. This all feeds into climate change. And in the face of Washington's displayed of mandated climate goals and I should know I helped write them. And the displacement argument in over a 40-year period in history tells us how markets fluctuate from that. And especially over a period of 40 years. There is no good way to accurately predict what they will be. Climate change and most likely-- instead of this plant we must more vigorously focus on green energy. Wind, solar, etc. Right now. We can do this if we use the same level of the energy and focus on creating green energy. That we are currently using and finding a vaccine for COVID-19. It is every bit as important. I urge you to deny the refinery and shoreline permit. It's the right thing to do. Thank you very much. 
>> Thank you for your comment I have-- followed by Susan Schwartzberg. Dick-- 
>> Good afternoon-- community since Kalama was founded. [[ Background interference [ fire radio ]] this project would increase the budget and reduce the fire rate and increase the ability to upgrade on staffing. Which we have not done since 2002. We have greatly been involved with-- and looking at the plans for the facility. And as we are industrial based community with-- chemical facilities it uses pressure in the process but not pressure in the stories.
And safety precautions and safety systems in place with all the codes. And different than what the other industrial partners have. With that being said, we ask that this has been looked at three different times now and to move forward with this project and we hope that ecology takes out the emotion and looks at the facts. And moves forward with allowing the permits to be issued. Thank you. 
>> Thank you, next I show Susan shorts followed by Brian. Susan you should be able to provide comment now. 
>> Okay this project a violation of the greenhouse gas reduction that we in the legislature and state of Washington has been working on. I look outside and what is going on with the weather and all the people out there that live in the homes, they are homeless and in the southeast they are losing their homes and what is going on down there. And it is all based on this. And this would increase the state greenhouse gas emissions to almost 1 million GHG's a year and making it one of the states largest emitters of greenhouse gases. I think that is wrong.  Work okay I am done now. 
>> Thank you. Okay I do not see anymore raised hands. If there is anyone else who would like to provide comment that has not already had the opportunity to do so, please raise your hand now. Okay I see we have one more raised hands. Mister Tom I will unmute you and you can go ahead and provide your comments. 
>>  Can you hear me? 
>> Hello this is Tom, I'm a resident of Cowlitz County, this will displace globally tons of gas of greenhouse emissions. On top of it it will mitigate for everything that happens in this state. I think it is important when we listen to the arguments in favor and against this project. That we come not from a place of not  in my backyard but we are one part of a global community. What we are experiencing this week is a direct and even if you get all the greenhouse gas emissions in the state down to 0 we would be impacted by the global markets. That is not to say we should not do our part in Washington state. Northwest innovation is doing its part. But I think we need to realize we are all consumers of materials. Far beyond just plastic and I think that Northwest innovation works should be commended. For the efforts they made around mitigation in the state. And I think the department and the support is thorough, rigorous and comprehensive. In it comes to its analysis of the global markets and  the displacement theories underlying report. Thank you so much. 
>> Thank you, this will be my last calls for raise hands for a proceed to close out the hearing. Is there anyone who wishes to provide testimony or comment that has not already had an opportunity to do so? If so please raise your hand now. I see no additional raised hands. I will go ahead and began to close out the hearing. All testimony received in this hearing and other hearings to be held online, on September 22, 2020, and phone in only hearing on September 23rd along with all written comments postmarked no later than October 2, 2020, will be part of the official record for this environmental review. You should see information on your screen on how to provide your comments right now. We also have a phone in only hearing. That we have or September 23rd, call in information is provided on the slide. And this is not a web based hearing, it is a call in only hearing. After the hearing we can find instructions on how to comment in writing visiting the department of ecology's website. The next steps next, ecology will review and consider the comments on the final draft and supplemental in the environmental impact statement and comments in response to substantive comments will be included in the final, second supplemental environmental impact statement for the proposed Kalama manufacturing and Marine comment. All those who provided testimonies and submitted contact information, everyone that signed up for today's hearing and provided an email address, other interested parties on the agencies really list for this environmental review. The date of the final document will depend on the comments received. Ecology anticipates issuing a final, second supplemental EIS the end of the calendar year. If we can be further help to you, please contact  manager -- -@ EC wide.W a that GOP or by phone at  425-681-6236. Next ecology will review and consider the comments on the draft second supplemental environmental impact statement. I apologize. You know who to contact on the behalf of the Department of ecology thank you for attending this webinar. We  appreciate your cooperation and please let the record so it is 4:06:00 PM on September 17, 2020, and this hearing is adjourned.