Maoulay Adjorlolo
Maoulay Adjorlolo was a summer research intern for Sightline, working to discover and disclose more information about the coal and oil train issues of the Pacific Northwest.
SwatchJunkies
SwatchJunkies
Why China Wants Methanol from the Northwest
The Northwest is currently deciding whether to allow the Chinese government to build three export-oriented refineries in our region---specifically at Kalama and Tacoma, Washington and near Clatskanie, Oregon. They would more than triple total US methanol production in order to fuel plastics manufacturing abroad. In our first installment on the subject, Sightline explored the fundamentals of these planned projects. Here, we will examine some key features of the industry.
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What is methanol?
Methanol (CH3OH) is a simple alcohol---a light, colorless, and flammable liquid at room temperature. Although methanol is present in the environment in small amounts, we also synthesize it for industrial purposes from fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) or biomass (wood and plant material).What Methanol Means for the Northwest
China is aiming to construct and operate three methanol refineries in Oregon and Washington in a move that would turn ...
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The Proposed Longview Refinery: Understanding the Basics
Earlier this summer, a spate of news stories tried to draw a link between Washington Governor Inslee’s office and the backers of an oil refinery proposed for the shores of the Columbia River at Longview. (The Governor’s office categorically denies supporting the project.) These stories sparked sudden interest in the proposal, which has resulted in substantial confusion for many, in part because the project itself has been shrouded in secrecy and ambiguity.
So to set the record straight, and as a resource to the public, here is Sightline’s review of what we know---and what we don’t---about the Longview Refinery.
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