The port of Kalama has dropped its appeal of the state’s shoreline permit for the Kalama methanol plant. The action removes a major challenge to the permit, but it still faces opposition from environmental groups. The port had opposed the permit because it worried it would require it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its marine terminal, which would serve the methanol plant. However, the port dropped the appeal when it learned recently that the reduction requirements apply only to the plant, not its docks. The plant is projected to employ nearly 200 full-time workers and create about 1,000 construction jobs.
