NEWPORT — A new group is lending its voice to the debate over the proposed silicon smelter proposal.

Friends & Allies of the Newport Silicon Smelter has established a presence on social media.

“We believe that commerce and ecology are not mutually exclusive,” the group said in an inaugural post on Facebook. “Washington’s record for environmental protections is stellar.”

FANSS argues there are ample regulations at the state and federal level to safeguard public health and the environment.

“We believe that the silicon smelter will improve the quality of life for the residents of Pend Oreille County,” FANSS added in the post.

The smelter proposal was initially advanced by Canadian-based HiTest Sands, which has since re-branded itself PacWest Silicon.

The proposal has drawn fierce objections from residents in Idaho and Washington. They contend the facility’s emissions will foul air and water quality due to emissions from the plant.

But there have been murmurs of support amid the hearty chorus of opposition. Some in the region’s manufacturing sector have welcomed the prospect of additional jobs.

FANSS has 186 friends on its Facebook page and a number of them are employed in the timber and mining industry. There are employees of the Pend Oreille Public Utility District, which controversially sold property to HiTest so the plant could be built.

Citizens Against the Newport Silicon Smelter, has emerged as one the proposal’s most ardent opponents.

FANSS contends rhetoric, hyperbole and fearmongering are crowding out factual information about the proposal.

“No project of this size was ever launched with 100-percent support,” FANSS said on Facebook. “IT is our goal to provide enough information that all decisions are educated decisions.”

FANSS also acknowledges opponents of the project are friends and neighbors.

“We think you will find that they have similar goals for the town, the county, and for humanity. We only disagree on how to get there. They have courageously stepped out of their comfort zones to fight for something they are passionate about and will be treated with respect.”

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