Editor's note: The above video is from a previous LNG story in May.
The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has approved a permit application for the new liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on the Tacoma Tide Flats.
Puget Sound Energy said the $300 million plant will help control greenhouse gas emissions by providing cleaner fuel alternatives.
The Puget Sound Energy Tacoma LNG facility would receive natural gas and chill it to produce between 250,000 and 500,000 gallons of LNG daily.
According to an initial environmental impact study, the LNG plant would release about 1.39 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, compared to about 1.44 million metric tons if no action were taken and industrial maritime operations were to continue.
The study was based on assumptions that the gas is coming from Canada. If the gas came from somewhere else, emissions would be higher, according to the analysis.
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency said the proposal for the LNG facility “meets all of the Agency Regulations.”
However, the proposed facility has been met with backlash from the Seattle City Council, environmental groups, Puyallup Tribe members and Gov. Jay Inslee.
In 2017, the Puyallup Tribe filed a complaint with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency saying PSE was building parts of the project without a particular permit from the agency.
In response to the decision, the Puyallup Tribe said Monday's preliminary determination "does not address the absence of legally-required consultation with the Tribe," "does not address the project's many safety risks," and "does not address any of the substantial changes made to the project after it was subjected to environmental review."
Supporters of the facility have said the plant will bring more jobs to the area and will provide better fuel alternatives to those near the Port of Tacoma.
The public is invited to weigh in on the facility from July 22 to Sept. 9.
Written comments can be mailed to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, 1904 3rd Ave, Suite 105, Seattle, WA 98101. An email can also be sent to PublicComment@pscleanair.org with the commentary.
A public hearing will be held on Aug. 27 at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma from 2-5 p.m. and again from 6:30-10 p.m.
Read more on the project here.