TACOMA – About 1,000 Tacoma-area residents attended a public hearing to oppose a proposed $1.8 billion plant at the Port of Tacoma that would convert natural gas to methanol.

The News Tribune reported that the Wednesday public hearing was interrupted by applause as speakers criticized the plant for its potential impact on the environment, property values and other concerns.

A multinational consortium of chemical companies and investors called Northwest Innovation Works is seeking permits for the plant, which would ship the converted methanol to China to be used to make plastics.