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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: Mitsui USA, a division of the large Japanese conglomerate Mitsui and Co., Ltd., has submitted a request for an air quality permit to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality under the name of MyPower Corporation, a subsidiary corporation. Their plant will be called Lakeside Energy and is proposed to be located on FM 416 and CR 196. Mitsui has hired a public relations firm to interface with the community. Recently representatives of COPPS for Clean Air (a local citizens’ group opposed to the building of more area power plants) met with James Florez of public relations firm Burson-Marsteller at his request. Mr. Florez’ stated purpose for the invitation was to try and find ways that Mitsui can address the concerns of the community. Beyond that, Mr. Florez had little new to offer on the plans for Lakeside Energy. Previously, Mr. Florez has met with other groups. Most recently members of the community were invited to meet at Southern Oaks Clubhouse to hear about plans for the plant, and for Mr. Florez to hear about the community’s concerns. At that meeting, those present were overwhelmingly opposed to the plant. Previously, Mr. Florez has met with business leaders from Fairfield and, presumably, judging from their involvement, with the City of Fairfield. The position of COPPS for Clean Air, as well as many homeowners in the ares of the proposed plant, is that Freestone county already has numerous power plants contributing to poor air quality and pollution. We have Big Brown, NRG, Freestone Generation, 130 compressor stations which are also permitted for emissions, and the TXI cement plant in Streetman. Of course, our county and city budgets are blessed by the presence of the energy industry in our area, but enough is enough. We feel that we have done our fair share of breathing dirty air. There are those who doubt that we have too much air pollution. They are entitled to their opinion, and we are going to find out. Our county commissioners have budgeted an air monitor for us and we will know if pollution is a concern. I propose that we not build any more power plants in the county for three years until the data is in. Many residents of the lake area are senior citizens who are the most susceptible to the negative impact of pollutants. While a gas fired power plant is cleaner than coal, it is not clean. It still emits numerous pollutants. According to their permit application, Lakeside Energy will spew out: 85 tons a year of volatile organic compounds, 169 tons per year of nitrogen oxides, 628 tons per year of carbon monoxide, 29 tons per year of sulphur dioxide, 236 tons per year of particulate matter, five tons per year of sulphuric acid, seven tons per year of lead, as well as formaldehyde and ammonia. We have one road in and out of the area, making traffic during construction, and in case of emergency a potential nightmare. We have one small, wonderful, but potentially overextended volunteer fire department. There is no hazmat unit in the area and Lakeside Energy will house hazardous chemicals. I believe it is an accident waiting to happen. The area they have chosen for their plant is directly across the road from Richland-Chambers Reservoir. This is a residential and recreational area. There are also ranches and wildlife preserves, as well as wetland areas. A prospering economy has grown up around the lake. All this brings tax revenue into the county and supports businesses in the broader community. A power plant in the midst of this community will surely decrease property values and negatively impact both the property base and economic activity. The lake is a wonderful resource for this area and should be protected as such. Bottom line, it’s just not an appropriate location for a power plant. If the City of Fairfield is so eager to have another power plant in the area, let them find a location within the city. We do not live in Fairfield. We would like to meet directly with representatives of Mitsui, even though Mr. Florez says that is not possible. If Mr. Florez wants to address our concerns, he can, by reporting to Mitsui that we want them to move their plant.
We are entitled to the same protection of the law that citizens in large communities enjoy. Until we have the data about air quality to insure our quality of life is safe and meets the requirements set down in the federal Clean Air Act, we should not be building any more power plants. This means that if Mitsui wants to build now they should move their plant to another area. Until then, we have no choice but to oppose any and all additional power plants in our unprotected ara of Texas at all cost, and we have the will and means to do so. No one has the right to degrade the air in our area below its present level and we must know what that level is before any more air permits are written in Freestone, Navarro and Limestone counties. |
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