10/12/10
Good afternoon.
If you read today’s BEE editorial regarding the proposed Biomass burning plant, you got a bunch of BAD INFORMATION, and an incredibly flawed opinion.Let me list the incorrect “facts” that the editors want you to believe.
First, the BEE wants you to believe that the MID Board voted against building the burner. It did NOT. It DID vote to reject the Mitigated Negative Declaration requested by MID staff. All the proponents have to do to continue the building of this burner is to complete a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Second, the proponents of the burner have made it quite clear that IF they would be required to complete an EIR, it would “kill the project”.
Third, the Taxpayers Association, along with the Pilot’s Association, several affected businesses and MANY other citizens are asking for one simple thing. Just complete an EIR. What could be so simple? We believe, and have facts to justify facts that this plant will be a major contributor to Modesto’s already horrible air problems. We also believe that the burner proponents hold the same belief.
Fourth, that means that they are in favor of not killing the plant, at the risk of killing Citizens of Modesto. The Association demands that they prove the burner will not endanger the health of our children, our parents, and each of us. The burner proponents are putting the needs of their wallets WAY in front of the health of our community.
Fifth, the BEE wants you to believe that the three Directors who want the EIR completed, did something wrong. They did NOT do anything wrong. They voted to protect all Modestans from a gross polluter. Again, all the proponents have to do is complete an EIR, prove that they will not harm us, and then they can build the burner.
Sixth, the BEE wants you to believe that the MID has given Dr. Endsley an oral contract to build the burner. That is not possible. No one has the authority to make such a deal other than the MID Directors. And, the fact is, there has never been any resolution whatever brought before the Directors to vote for or against a burner. Endsley has NO CAUSE to sue the MID. This is just a bluff, and I am very concerned that Allen Short, the MID attorney, and the BEE would suggest that a law suit is even possible.
Seventh, the BEE implies that the Directors have approved the burner behind the back of the Ratepayers. That is highly unlikely. No one should impugn the integrity of the Directors, at least without absolute proof. The Directors should demand a retraction, and an apology from the editors of the BEE.
Eighth, the BEE implies that not allowing a gross polluter in our community would deter others from building more of them in Modesto. Well, I CERTAINLY HOPE SO!!!!!
Ninth, the BEE apparently does not understand how business should be done. It implies that no business would “...invest time and money in preparing a project only to have an unpredictable Board change its mind...” Again, the Directors have never voted for or against the PROJECT. They voted TO COMPLETE AN EIR. Moreover, that comment implies that the Directors approved the project illegally, and in secret. If that is the editorial opinion, then they should come out properly and accuse the Directors of illegal behavior. This insulation is totally unacceptable.
Tenth, and finally, one must ask why the editors are in favor of this wood burning plant in the middle of Modesto? They fully back the prohibition against your burning wood in your fireplace. They claim to be for clean air. Why on earth would they not want Dr. Endsley to complete an EIR?Believe me, the Association has made plenty of facts available to the editors. We are fully prepared to show them the vast amount of research we have done on other burner plants, their pollution results, the effects of raw ammonia (which will be used in the proposed plant) on people, including pilots and passengers who fly through ammonia plumes. (Remember, this plant and its 120 foot tall stacks are on one of the two approaches to the Modesto airport.)We will also be fully available to explain our position, facts and conclusions with any interested party. Just message me and we will show you the evidence.
Thank you,
Dave Thomas,
President, Stanislaus Taxpayers Association.
