At Public Hearing, Tacoma Residents Gather in Opposition to PSE Fracked Gas Facility

Tacoma, WA -- Today, Tacoma residents will gather to express their opposition to Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) proposed fracked gas facility. PSE, Washington's largest utility, has already begun building an 8 million gallon, 14-story tall fracked gas tank at the Port of Tacoma, but they do not have the necessary air permit from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for the facility to become operational.

This afternoon, the Air Agency will hold a public hearing at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma on the facility’s potential climate impact. In a victory for communities opposing the project, the agency called in January for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to analyze the project’s climate impact. But the draft SEIS, which was released earlier this month, failed to use the best available science, failed to consider all available alternatives, and dramatically underestimated the facility’s potential greenhouse gas emissions.

Tacoma residents plan to wear red and pack the hearing room to show their opposition to the project. Not only would the facility be a disaster for our climate, it would threaten the health and safety of the Puyallup people. The facility is located directly adjacent to the Puyallup reservation, but in violation of the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854, PSE has failed to engage in proper consultation with the Tribe.

“This proposed fracked gas plant is a clear danger to our lands, water, air, and community health,” said Sierra Club Associate Organizing Representative Victoria Leistman. “PSE is willing to sacrifice all of this for a gas project we don’t even need. For the sake of our communities and our climate, we are urging the Air Agency to use the best available science and reject this dirty fracked gas project.”

"We are grateful to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for undertaking this important work. However, we have serious concerns with the current draft environmental impact statement,” said Todd Hay, President of Advocates for a Cleaner Tacoma (ACT). “It does not use the best available science, it used under-reported methane leakage rates to benefit industry, and claims greenhouse gas emissions reduction credits for customers that do not currently exist. PSCAA should retract the current SEIS, address the concerns that we have raised with it, and then reissue a new SEIS with a full public comment period.”

"We are living in a time where it has become absolutely criminal to build new fossil fuel infrastructure,” said Stacy Oaks of 350 Seattle.

“PSCAA faces a critical decision point - they can go with fossil fuel industry data or they can utilize best available science and safeguard our children's future,” said Dan Villa of 350Tacoma. “The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report makes it clear that we can't allow new fossil fuel infrastructure like Puget Sound Energy's fracked gas facility to be built.”

“Redefine Tacoma is dedicated to protecting our environment and climate. We stand with the Puyallup Tribe in opposing Puget Sound Energy’s proposed LNG facility. This facility should have never been allowed to move forward, as it is situated on usual and accustomed tribal gathering and fishing grounds protected by the Medicine Creek Treaty,” said representatives at Redefine Tacoma. “Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s draft EIS on greenhouse gas emissions has too many crucial flaws and does not use the best available science. It cherry picks data, then misrepresents that data in an attempt to justify an indefensible project. We find the DSEIS wholly inadequate and reject it in its entirety. This facility cannot be permitted if we believe in science and if we want to protect future generations from climate chaos.”

“The religious community knows we have a moral obligation to address climate change and live out our values of stewardship, justice, and care for our neighbors,” says LeeAnne Beres, Executive Director of Earth Ministry and Washington Interfaith Power and Light. “The Puyallup Tribe, citizens of Tacoma, and residents of the Salish Sea have a right to know the total local and global impacts of this proposal through a revised SEIS that is complete and accurate.”