Attorney General Calls Fracked Gas Review Fictional
by Darren Moore
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has cast a stark, critical light on the Environmental Review of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant on Medicine Creek Treaty land, in the heart of the Port of Tacoma. This isn’t just a routine examination. In a move that ripples with significance, both the Attorney General’s office and the State Department of Ecology have submitted potent critiques to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA), targeting the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) and its implications for the Puyallup Tribe and local citizens.
The communication from the AG’s office cuts deep with its candidness. Far from a mere academic debate, it deconstructs the research in the DSEIS, labeling it as ‘fictional.’ A pivotal point in their analysis is the portrayal of a No-Action Alternative in the DSEIS as unrealistic, given that the facility’s construction is a fait accompli, with pipes laid and infrastructure firmly established. The AG’s commentary echoes the warnings of the Washington State Supreme Court from a 1993 boundary dispute case, criticizing the ‘snowballing effect’ of the SEPA process, primarily its delay in ordering an SEIS.
Further, the AG’s letter doesn’t shy away from highlighting past oversights. It recalls a Notice of Violation issued to the plant builders back in April 2017 for initiating work without the required Notice of Construction. The AG’s office accuses the PSCAA of lax enforcement and investigation since then. It boldly challenges the DSEIS’s assumption that construction and its impacts are pending decisions on alternatives, denouncing these notions as ‘plainly incorrect’ and disconnected from the ground reality.
In an equally critical vein, the SEIS, commissioned by PSCAA, aimed to assess Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions across the plant’s lifespan, contrasting it with a hypothetical scenario where the plant doesn’t exist. The Attorney General’s response? The DSEIS must leverage the latest, peer-reviewed research to accurately assess the emissions’ global warming potential. It also scrutinizes the origin of the fracked gas and the assumptions made about it, highlighting key concerns about the accuracy of the emissions data.
Simultaneously, the State Department of Ecology’s feedback raises pressing concerns. Their comments hone in on the potential for ‘fuel shuffling’ if all gas is sourced from Canada, and question the logic behind peak shaving leading to a net emissions decrease, given the energy requirements for liquefying natural gas. The DOE’s perspective casts further doubts on the project’s environmental soundness.
For the Puyallup Water Warriors and their supporters, this moment is laden with anticipation. The thorough scrutiny by the AG and the DOE signifies a potentially game-changing juncture. Should the DSEIS be revised to align with their demands, the outcome may not bode well for the LNG project. The import of these official comments cannot be overstated, as they wield the potential to sway the entire decision-making process, aligning it more closely with environmental justice and the rights of the Puyallup Tribe.
Additional Information: Link to Ancestral Waters Documentary
First appearing on December 1, 2018, this article is part of an ongoing series documenting the Indigenous-led campaign against the Tacoma LNG facility.
The article has since been edited to remove time-sensitive elements, such as calls to action, in order to serve as an historical and educational resource. You can also explore other related articles and resources on the Ancestral Waters page for a more contextual understanding of the issues and events.
While the full “Ancestral Waters” documentary is available for screenings, we invite you to watch the trailer for a glimpse into the comprehensive story of resiliency and activism told in the film.
