What to Know About AltaGas’ Ferndale Terminal Project and What Comes Next

Many in Whatcom County have heard about recent activity at the AltaGas / ALA Energy Ferndale Terminal, located in the Cherry Point industrial area near Ferndale. This overview provides context on the project and the permitting process now underway, and why it has drawn attention and support from the community.

A Major Investment in an Existing Industrial Site

Upgrades are underway at the ALA Energy Ferndale Terminal, modernizing an existing energy facility to support continued industrial use and economic activity in the region. AltaGas describes the terminal as a key part of safe, reliable energy movement for regional and global markets.

AltaGas also holds redevelopment rights to the former Intalco site, a roughly 1,600-acre industrially zoned property immediately north of the terminal. While redevelopment of that site cannot move forward until required environmental remediation is completed, the viability of future redevelopment is closely tied to the ability to reliably operate and reinvest in existing facilities like the Ferndale Terminal.

Environmental Upgrades Under Environmental Review

Permit applications have been submitted for two proposed emissions-reduction projects at the Ferndale Terminal:

• Flare Gas Recovery

• Waste Gas Recycling

Following independent third-party analysis and a multi-year review, Whatcom County issued a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS), concluding that the proposals are unlikely to result in significant adverse environmental impacts when required mitigation measures are applied. Whatcom County Planning Director Mark Personius described the review as the “most extensive and exhaustive review of potential environmental impacts ever conducted” by the County for a project at Cherry Point.

In addition to required mitigation, AltaGas has committed to enforceable limits on vessel and rail traffic and offered a range of voluntary measures aimed at addressing community and environmental concerns. These include enhanced marine safety protocols, funding support for programs such as Quiet Sound, and equipment donations to local specialized emergency response organizations, among other actions.

Status: The permit applications are under appeal by a coalition of environmental organizations and are subject to the county’s hearing and appeal process.

Jobs and Economic Benefits

The Flare Gas Recovery and Waste Gas Recycling projects are designed to reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency at the existing terminal. While these projects are not expected to increase permanent staffing levels, they are projected to generate more than $10 million in direct local economic impact through spending on equipment, locally based professional services, and regional contractors.

Local leaders from Ferndale, Lynden, and organizations representing the trades and business community have highlighted the importance of this project and the broader economic boost projects like this bring to the region.

Why Many in the Community Are Paying Attention

The current appeal has drawn attention from business leaders, local governments, and community organizations because it raises broader questions about how major infrastructure projects are reviewed once extensive environmental analysis has already been completed.

For many employers and local jurisdictions, predictability in the permitting and appeals process is critical to long-term planning, private investment, and future redevelopment of industrial sites. How this process unfolds is being watched not only for its implications for the Ferndale Terminal, but also for what it may signal to other businesses considering investment in Whatcom County.

What Happens Next

An appeal of the county’s environmental determination has been filed, which triggers a hearing before the Whatcom County Hearing Examiner as part of the county’s established review process. Based on current scheduling, the hearing is expected to take place in late January/early February 2026.

Future 42 is monitoring the process closely and will share updates as additional information becomes available, including when and how public comment will be accepted.

Learn More: AltaGas has provided public project information and a direct contact available on their Ferndale Terminal webpage.