NEW INFORMATION ON PLANNED ANNOUNCEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN LEWIS COUNTY
CHEHALIS – The anticipated announcement in just over a week about a $600 million dollar investment in our community reportedly involving hydrogen production has brought questions from the community.
Electricity and water usage, where the final product will be used and the financing of the project were part of an inquiry Monday by Lewis County Commissioner Lindsey Pollock. Her questions came during an open commission meeting and then addressed at a subsequent meeting Monday with the Economic Alliance of Lewis County.
Little can be discussed until the company does so to protect it from competitors in the marketplace. Local officials have non-disclosure agreements with the company looking to Lewis County for their proposed growth.
Economic Alliance Director Richard DeBolt clarified the upcoming May 12th public announcement with the county commission, “The company has chosen this location for this project, and it has all of the regulatory hurdles to go through. This is literally the first announcement that they have chosen Lewis County for this program.”
DeBolt said Washington State has strict rules on future power production, and this proposal aims to create 100% renewable energy with no state tax breaks or use of local tax dollars. The company reportedly is looking to build five similar facilities in Canada.