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Wood Burning Plant
The Environment work group of the The Coalition for Democracy sends the following information: Bulletin August 1, 2006: Hi all, We have formed the Concerned Citizens of the West End to organize our campaign to have public forums, have petition drives, inform the residents, and take legal action. This is an important month for people to show up at the following public meetings to get informed and express their positions: Schedule of events: Wednesday, Aug 2, 7:00PM, SUCO, Hunt Union: Big public meeting for Catalyst to misinform everyone. We will have a table in the lobby expressing our point of view. Wednesday, Aug 9, 7:00PM, Environmental Board meeting at city hall; hopefully it will be a lively open debate. Tuesday Aug 15, 7:00PM, Common Council meeting at city hall, will maybe discuss water issues Wednesday, Aug 16, 7:00PM, Planning Commission meeting at city hall. Thursday, Aug 17, 7:30, in the UU Church: PUBLIC FORUM with independent experts, organized by Community Action Taskforce, Coalition for Democracy, and Concerned Citizens of the West End Map showing schools, clinics, colleges, and hospitals near the power plant: (available at meetings...) Main points to keep in mind: The Texas based Catalyst Renewables wants to locate a wood burning power plant in the heart of Oneonta. It has engaged in a PR campaign to sell their experimental plans with misleading half-truths and misinformation. The following facts are acceptable to them but not to us: · Water Usage: 500,000 gallons of clean city water per day, while Oneonta has no excess capacity! · Wood Burning: 2,200,000 pounds of wood per day - 700 full cords of wood from our local forests · Air Pollution: 10,000 pounds of micro particulates will be released each year – They want us to believe that their filters will remove the other 890,000 pounds of particulates. · Health Problems: Respiratory and cardiac problems will increase for our children and older residents. · Truck Traffic: 50 or more large 18-wheeler trucks will be coming and going every day · Industrial Wastewater: 43,000 gallons of industrial discharge per day into the wetlands. · Electricity Shipped Out: No electricity will be distributed locally. · Property Value Decline: Possible "selling frenzy" because of a polluting heavy industry · Benefits Exaggerated: The tax advantages to Oneonta are overstated. Q: Why put this power plant right in the heart of the most densely populated area in 50 miles? A: Enormous profits for a few at the expense of our city's health, welfare, and property values. Oneonta City ZONING LAWS are meant to: " …promote public health, safety and welfare…" and state that "the most desirable use for which the land of each district may be adapted will be to conserve the value of buildings and enhance the value of land throughout the City." [Article § 300-2] The building of this power plant would violate the city code. The planning commission is deferring the site plan review to the state level and disregarding our own city ordinances. Other sections of our zoning laws which should prohibit this power plant inside the city limits: ...promote the public health and welfare ...to conserve the value of buildings and enhance the value of land throughout the City ...the conservation of property values ...promote the health, safety, and welfare of the community ...in the interest of the health and general welfare of the residents of the City of Oneonta § 300-37. HID Heavy Industrial Districts. Use Permits: ...EXCLUDED FOR THE FOLLOWING... Any trade or industry which does not by reason of the
omission of
noise, dust or ors and the like become obnoxious or dangerous to
the health and safety of the public. It appears to me that they are building a huge wood-burning boiler that will produce tons of carbon, creosote, and potash every day! And at some point they may burn other things like tires, or refuse. What you can do: -- Get involved, show up at these public meetings, contact our neighborhood group: (607) 433-4729, abcde@stny.rr.com -- Petition City Hall to block this development before it is a "done deal." -- Mail/email your opinion for the record to: City Clerk, 258 Main St, Oneonta, NY, 13820 / jkoury@oneonta.ny. |
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