PacWest Silicon Smelter
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Emissions from proposed smelter could impact the ecosystem function of our local waterways over time through acid deposition - also known as Acid Rain
PacWest Silicon (formerly known as HiTest) has proposed to build a smelter on more than 180 acres at the Washington/Idaho border in Newport, WA. If the proposal is approved, the smelter would produce up to 73,000 tons of silicon metal each year - as well as 320,000 metric tons per year of carbon dioxide, 760 metric tons per year of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and 700 metric tons per year of nitrogen oxides (NOX). source: sandpointidaho.gov
The Department of Ecology - State of Washington project site states: "The facility is expected to consume electricity, and to generate GHGs with a potential to emit up to 766,000 tons per year."
The Department of Ecology - State of Washington project site states: "The facility is expected to consume electricity, and to generate GHGs with a potential to emit up to 766,000 tons per year."
Project Update
"The first step in environmental review is to conduct a study to evaluate impacts of the proposal and potential options to help protect people and the environment. We've reviewed public comments and prepared a scoping report for a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The applicant requested that Ecology stop work on the environmental review after a bid period and before we came to terms of agreement on a contractor. If the applicant indicates they are interested in starting the environmental review process again, Ecology will restart the bid process to hire a contractor to begin writing the EIS."
Department of Ecology - State of Washington
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Did you know?
According to the EPA, increasing greenhouse emissions by 766,000 tons is equivalent to adding 162,663 passenger vehicles to the roads each day in Newport! Source: EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator |
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Environmental Concerns
The primary concern for water quality in our watershed is the impact of acid rain. The sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail. Acid Rain Pathway |
Source: EPA - What is Acid Rain
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Due to the close proximity of the proposed smelter location to the Lake Pend Oreille region, emissions from the smelter could impact the ecosystem function of our local waterways over time through acid deposition. According to the EPA, "winds can blow SO2 and NOX over long distances and across borders making acid rain a problem for everyone and not just those who live close to these sources". source: EPA
"The Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Modeling Protocol provided by PacWest in October 2017 states that operation of the smelter will emit approximately:
- 320,000 metric tons per year of carbon dioxide
- 760 metric tons per year of sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- 700 metric tons per year of nitrogen oxides (NOX)
Air Emissions
"The facility is expected to release air pollutants to the atmosphere, which will be regulated by federal and state standards. The pollutants fit into four categories, including criteria pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, toxic air pollutants, and greenhouse gases (GHGs)." source
"The facility is expected to release air pollutants to the atmosphere, which will be regulated by federal and state standards. The pollutants fit into four categories, including criteria pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, toxic air pollutants, and greenhouse gases (GHGs)." source
Project site
"The proposed project site is approximately 188 acres, located southeast of the city of Newport. The proposed facility would occupy approximately 70 percent of the property and consist of several sheet-metal clad buildings, the tallest would be 157 feet above grade. A proposed rail spur and loop to the west of the site would connect the facility with existing tracks, and would be used to hold the trains while cars containing raw materials are unloaded." source
"The proposed project site is approximately 188 acres, located southeast of the city of Newport. The proposed facility would occupy approximately 70 percent of the property and consist of several sheet-metal clad buildings, the tallest would be 157 feet above grade. A proposed rail spur and loop to the west of the site would connect the facility with existing tracks, and would be used to hold the trains while cars containing raw materials are unloaded." source
Source: Dept of Ecology - State of Washington
Rail Traffic
"The number of rail cars unloaded per day is expected to range between 1 and 100 with an average of approximately 10 per day. An average of five rail cars would be loaded with products and shipped off-site each day. Unloading operations would occur only between 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Inbound and outbound rail shipments are expected to occur throughout the year." "...All raw materials would be brought to the site by rail, except wood chips, which would be delivered by truck. Product would be removed from the site by rail or truck, as determined by the customer." source
"The number of rail cars unloaded per day is expected to range between 1 and 100 with an average of approximately 10 per day. An average of five rail cars would be loaded with products and shipped off-site each day. Unloading operations would occur only between 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Inbound and outbound rail shipments are expected to occur throughout the year." "...All raw materials would be brought to the site by rail, except wood chips, which would be delivered by truck. Product would be removed from the site by rail or truck, as determined by the customer." source
Regulatory Framework
The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) is the regulatory agency responsible for the environmental review of the project under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) as well as issuing environmental permits for the project. Since the proposed project location is not located in the state of Idaho, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) does not have regulatory authority over this proposed project.
The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) is the regulatory agency responsible for the environmental review of the project under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) as well as issuing environmental permits for the project. Since the proposed project location is not located in the state of Idaho, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) does not have regulatory authority over this proposed project.
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Estimated annual greenhouse gas emissions for this proposed project are equivalent to 112,229 cars driving 1.2 Billion miles in the Newport Area per year!
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