Board reserves judgment on smelter

UPDATED: This story has been updated to reflect a new meeting location.

By KEITH KINNAIRD

News editor

SANDPOINT — Bonner County commissioners announced on Thursday that they have not taken a stance on the proposed silicon smelter in Newport.

The board said in a statement that it’s working diligently to learn more about the project, HiTest Sands’ site-specific plans and the state of Washington’s permitting processes. Commissioners added that they’re also studying the potential economic benefits to the states of Idaho and Washington, in addition to differentiating fact from fiction with regard to environmental impacts.

“Sound decisions must be based on facts and research. There is a multitude of unfounded information circulating throughout both Bonner and Pend Oreille counties, we ask that prior to disseminating information that is potentially harmful or false, that you call the Bonner County Commissioners Office and we will do our best to answer your questions with the limited information we have,” commissioners said in the statement.

Edmonton, Alberta-based HiTest said its Newport facility would refine silicon from quartz mined in Golden, British Columbia. As many as 400 jobs would be created during construction of the plant, which would employ an estimated 150 workers.

The proposal has drawn determined opposition from landowners on either side of the state line. Opponents contend the smelter will foul air quality in both states, diminish property values and overtax local infrastructure and housing.

Commissioners in Pend Oreille County, meanwhile, are being dragged on an anonymous blog accusing them of colluding with the Pend Oreille Public Utility District and HiTest to site the smelter while claiming they had no involvement in the proposal.

HiTest is hosting a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 29, to discuss the proposal and take questions from the public. It starts at 6 p.m. at Newport High School.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.