() Comments
Racine testifies on coal
By Rob Golub
MOUNT PLEASANT - They came to talk about windmills, gas prices, minorities and haze. Racine-area union members, concerned families, government officials and environmentalists took turns at a microphone to testify for the record on a proposed expansion of the Oak Creek Power Plant.
Hundreds waited for hours Thursday at the Racine Marriott, 7111 Washington Ave. Each person spoke at the front of a large ballroom, while Administrative Law Judge Kevin Cronin listened and a transcriptionist recorded every word.
Members of the Public Service Commission in Madison will decide whether to approve, deny or modify the We Energies proposal soon, and they must base their decision on the official record of the case. While much technical testimony has already been submitted, this week is the public's chance to give testimony.
The public's comments, either for or against the plan, included the following: Against - Let's have more windmills.
"I think the primary consideration should be health considerations," said Bedoian, arguing for a new reputation for the cheese state. "Wisconsin the windmill state sounds good to me."
For - Natural gas prices are already high.
"Those on a fixed income are already having trouble paying their gas bills," Therkelsen said. This business manager for the Electrical Workers Local Union 430 worries the price of electricity will skyrocket if natural gas is built instead of coal.
Therkelsen also noted that lost jobs will not necessarily be replaced if the coal-plant expansion plan is rejected. "We Energies is not committed to building a new gas plant here if the plan fails," he said.
Against - Never mind the price of gas.
John Campion of Racine said he wants to be confident that children can drink the water and breathe the air. "I'll grant that gas can be more expensive but I don't believe that always takes into account the external costs of coal," he said. "I do not trust We Energies."
Concerned - Include minority community.
Craig Oliver said he was representing Bishop Lawrence Kirby of St. Paul Baptist Church, 1120 Grand Ave. He wondered how many plant jobs will be made available to minorities. "The minority community has been excluded from the discussion," he said.
Against - Port Washington got a better deal.
"The single most important fact is we already have very dirty air," said Susan Greenfield, town chair of Caledonia.
She said it's not fair that Port Washington is getting a new natural gas plant in place of its old coal plant while We Energies is proposing more coal for Oak Creek.
For - We Energies workers support it.
More than 10,000 union members in the Utility Workers Coalition support the plan, and they don't automatically support everything the company supports, said Wayne Merkovich, speaking for the group.
Against - Pilot sees more haze.
Sierra Club activist William F. Moore, a pilot, said the ceiling of haze in the air has been falling closer to the ground. He said it's smog and it's getting worse. "Every person and every living thing near and wide had been affected by coal," he said.
"Efforts to contain smog should be made in every venue."
For - We need to rely on this plant.
We Energies prefers coal instead of natural gas because it considers coal more reliable. The utility wants to build a plant that will run almost constantly, a backbone of the system called a "baseload" plant in the industry.
"The key here is baseload," said Don Paasch. "Gas is expensive."
Against - Soot covers lawn ornament.
Therese Michna held up a lawn ornament which seemed darkened beyond its typical color. "This is how my patio furniture looks. You have to wash it down constantly," she said. "I am the closest neighbor to the south of We Energies. All I have to say is: No more coal!"
Special Offer: Get 5 Weeks of the Journal Times for $7!
 |
||
| Sex offender remains on bond while appeal is considered |
