The Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant in Rogers City, MI Part 7
Let’s remember the names Byron Delong and Tom Harkleroad. They are the two members of both CEI and the County Planning Commission earlier in the story. By May, 2008 only Delong was still a member of both. Delong was also the man who, in March of 2008, made it clear during a Planning Commission meeting that their should be a public forum to discuss the addition of biomass to the special use permit before the commission issues an amended permit. That meeting was also attended by Tom Karas, (Michigan Energy Alternatives) and Jim Dulzo, (Michigan Land Institute) environmentalist buddies from the other side of the state. Now, let me be clear, the environmental movement had representatives from three groups. One serving on the board, and the other two pushing for a public forum. The one on the board suggested the forum be held in May.
It was around this time I was alarmed to read a report by Judy Pasternak of the Los Angeles Times titled, “Global warming has a new battleground: coal plants.” in the April 14th issue of the paper. I will link to it with one proviso, it no longer includes the best part of the report. Here is the titled story, with the first nine paragraphs removed.
The first nine paragraphs appeared in the report the day I printed it out, 4/14/08. Here is some of what they said:
WASHINGTON–Every time a new coal-fired power plant is proposed anywhere in the United States, a lawyer from the Sierra Club or an allied environmental group is assigned to stop it, by any bureaucratic or legal means necessary.
They might frame the battle as a matter of zoning or water use, but the larger war is over global warming: …..
The plant-by-plant strategy is part of a campaign by environmentalists to force the federal government to deal with climate change.
The campaign against new coal-powered plants has infuriated utilities, which say the environmentalists’ tactics are an abuse of the regulatory and judicial systems. They are counterpunching with ads, lobbying and court briefs of their own, bringing the clash over coal to a pitch that rivals the environmental and legal fights over nuclear power decades ago.
The environmental coalition, which included the Natural Resouces Defense Council, Environmental Defense Fund and Environmental Integrity Project, claims 65 victories over the last three years. The Sierra Club is coordinating opposition to about 50 additional power plant proposals.
“We have a national presence, so we’re sort of mission control,” said Pat Gallagher, director of the Sierra Club’s environmental law program.
The goal: “We hope to clog up the system,” said David Bookbinder, the Sierra Club’s chief climate counsel. “It’s putting pressure on Congress to put together a comprehensive plan.”
The partners in the anti-coal crusade are picking fights over any and all generators that use coal “regardless of merit,” said Brendan Collins, a lawyer in Philidelphia who represents utilities and power plant developers. “They are doing it in a way that is unfair.”
But I will talk more about this later.
On May 15th I attended the public hearing to define biomass with a pen and a notebook. Anyone who wished to speak had the opportunity to fill out a card and would be given 5 minutes to make their point, after the presentations by Wolverine and the environmentalist Tom Karas. Wolverine had a man named Robert Froese, PhD, of Northern Michigan University speak about the under-utilization of the forest floor and farm land within a 75 mile radius of Rogers City. Some weeks earlier, Froese had given a similar presentation to Presque Isle Electric and Gas Cooperation in Onaway and the Advance did a great job of reporting the presentation, so I will link to that article since it is very close to what I heard Froese say at the hearing. The Advance reported on the small amount of opposition at the hearing in this article and is a very accurate account of the arguments made by the environmental groups in attendance. Wolverine’s Ken Bradstreet read his definition of biomass to include, “non-chemically treated wood and wood residue, bark or any wood derivative in any form, including, but not limited to sawdust, scraps, woodchips, millings, shavings, process pellets made from wood, switch grass or similar fuel. It doesn’t include tires, household or medical wastes, dead animals, or animal wastes.”
The public comment period began with the president of the newly formed Wolverine Clean Energy Venture Support Group, Bob Noffze, who pointed out the sea of white t-shirts in the bleachers, all in support of Wolverine. He told about the 2,400 signatures on the petition to support Wolverine, and closed with a plea to the commission to approve the permit to enhance local agriculture. Two ladies testified after him about the need for electricity and the death of the community.
Milt Very suggested during his comments that there is nothing in the existing ordinance that is in conflict with the burning of biomass.
Jean Veselenak, member of CEI, told of her disgust with the DEQ (remember they filed suit against the DEQ,) and told the commission that she thinks there will be people cutting trees down in the middle of the night, in a desparate attempt to earn money. She talked about “new” technology from California using solar and wind.
Tom Karas, founding member of Michigan Energy Alternatives spoke next saying that with 7 coal plant projects in the state they will wipe out the forests. He told the chair that it is his responsibility to protect the safety and welfare of the citizens.
Charles Winters, President of CEI, asked the commission to approve the definition of biomass.
Jim Dulzo, (Michigan Land Institute) insisted that he is pro-growth and has a better idea of how to create jobs, unfortunately, he never said what his idea was.
Tab Coseo and Phil Budnick spoke as transplants to the area who grew up next to power plants and spoke in favor of the massive positive economic impact that happened in their old neighborhoods.
A representative from the Michigan Forest Products Council said the cleaning of the forest floors in Michigan represents an 8.7 billion dollar industry.
School teacher Susi Leo pointed out that solar and wind do not represent storable power.
Jeff Lamb, president of the local Republican Party spoke in favor of plant and the burning of biomass as well as the use of limestone in coal burning.
The Case Township Supervisor spoke in favor of burning biomass and in favor of the plant.
Mike Eustice, a 50 year businessman of Rogers City, spoke in support of the definition of biomass.
Jane Przybyla spoke in favor of the plant along with Betty Zimmer, Mike Centala, Lloyd Hought, Jesse Chappa.
Candy Kowalski implored the commission to leave everything to the DEQ.
Joe Kuznicki reminded everyone that the recent fire at Cedar Log and Lumber is a good reminder of what happens when biomass is left alone.
Dr. Rich Olree spoke against biomass because of flyash.
I didn’t catch the name of a man who spoke as a power generation expert, but I remember he said that America sets the standard for power generation. If you want power, you must generate it. If you don’t, shut off the lights.
The definition of biomass was approved unanimously.
To be continued……
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