A coalition of environmental groups has launched a legal challenge to block construction of an industrial-scale wood pellet plant at the port of Grays Harbor, Washington, in what would be the first facility of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.
The plant, backed by Pacific Northwest Renewable Energy, would produce 440,000 tonnes of wood pellets annually for export to Asian markets. Critics argue the permit issued by the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency underestimates toxic air pollutant emissions and fails to account for the broader environmental impact of pellet production and combustion.
The facility would be sited adjacent to the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and within a mile of local schools.
The legal action comes amid broader headwinds for the wood pellet industry. UK-based Drax recently paused work on a proposed facility in Longview, Washington, citing weak pellet demand, while Golden State Natural Resources has cancelled plans for two industrial-scale plants in California following community opposition and financial uncertainty.
Legal challenge targets Pacific Northwest industrial-scale wood pellet mill
