For more than a year, Tacoma has served as the front line for protests against a $300 million liquified natural gas facility.
Puget Sound Energy is building the fossil fuel facility at the Port of Tacoma
"It's a direct threat to our homeland and our culture and our way of life," said Annette Bryan, Puyallup Tribe of Indians Governing Councilmember.
Wednesday afternoon, the Governing Council of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians met with Seattle City Council members during a Civic Development, Public Assets, and Native Communities Committee meeting.
"This is the first time that government to government relations at the committee table have been honored," Teresa Mosqueda, Seattle City Councilmember
For Puyallup Tribal members that’s important.
"Since time immemorial we have lived on this land and we have always protected it and we are not going anywhere," said Bryan.
City of Seattle committee members passed a resolution opposing the LNG facility in Tacoma and urging the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to reject its permit application.
"For too long in our country, we have neglected our moral obligation to treat the indigenous people will respect," said Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien.
The Puyallup Tribal Government and Seattle City Council members say they are concerned about the environmental impact of the facility.
"It's in close proximity to tribal lands and densely populated Tacoma neighborhoods," said Bryan.
"If a river is polluted we all get sick," said Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez.
Some have said this isn’t an issue that needs to travel up I-5.
"What affects Seattle affects Tacoma what affects Tacoma affects Seattle. We are all connected and we are all connected by that water," said Bryan.
In a statement from Puget Sound Energy, a spokesperson wrote:
“Puget Sound Energy stands by the Tacoma LNG project and its benefits to the environment and our customers. It’s the cleanest option today to replace dirty bunker and diesel fuel for maritime vessels in the Port of Tacoma. By switching to LNG, maritime vessels will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dangerous particulates (smoke)."
