The equivalent weight of 3.4 million elephants — that’s how much of an increase of methane we are pumping into our air annually from fossil fuels, according to a new NASA study. Methane is initially far more damaging to our climate than carbon dioxide because of how effectively it absorbs heat. To combat global warming we must immediately reduce both CO2 and CH4 emissions.
“Natural” gas is mostly methane, a super-potent greenhouse gas, which traps 86 times as much heat as CO2 over a 20-year period. Methane is not a “bridge fuel!” The fracked gas-to-methanol refinery proposed in Kalama along the Columbia River would use more fracked gas than all other industries in Washington combined. That’s just based on the greenhouse gas emissions stated in the environmental impact statement before a statewide hearings board found it negligent by failing to include any upstream/downstream methane emissions. The board ruled two key permits invalid in September, but Cowlitz County (using taxpayer monies) and the Port of Kalama are currently appealing that decision.
A vital comment period is now open. Columbia Riverkeeper is hosting an informational meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 in Kalama. Protect our earth! Visit NoMethanol360.com and say no to fracking, yes to sustainability.
