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OpinionPrairie Gen owner responds to citizenís lettersTo the editor: Prairie Gen, the developer of a potential gas turbine power generator withing the City of North Branch, feels a need to respond to Mr. Pleauís letter to the editor, given its mis-information and its omission of important facts. The current zoning is AG1, which permits most agricultural operations. The site is bordered and intersected with a major gas pipeline, power line and electric substation. What is proposed for this site is of more minimal environmental impact than many, if not most, agricultural operations. I farm in western Minnesota, and our grain dryer and tractors make more noise than this gas turbine. This gas turbine stack is 49 feet in height; all seven silos on my farm are larger and taller. Placing a cattle feedlot like the one on my farm on this site would be a much greater environmental impact. This ìsimple cycle-peakerî gas turbine will not be heard by its nearest neighbor, but the grain dryer on my farm, if placed at the same locations, would be heard. It is designed to operate during peak demand only estimated at 300 - 800 hours a year. Peakers do not run the vast majority of the year. Water use is less than the average, single family home. Natural gas is considered the cleanest form combustion energy and most people burn it in their homes. This plant will have to receive an air permit from the Pollution Control Agency in order to be placed in service. Mr. Pleauís interpretation of the City Code stated: ìpublic utility buildings and structures necessary for the health, safety and general welfare of the communityî somehow got twisted in his mind to literally mean an electric ìPublic Utility.î Whereas we interpret it to allow the city to permit for a sand/salt shed for highway maintenance, a health clinic, a day care center and any number of uses for the health, safety and general welfare of the community. North Branch imports its electric power. It has been well publicized that there is concern for the dependability of the transmission grid with ìbrownoutsî occurring last summer in Minneapolis. Having an electric generator in the city of North Branch capable of providing all its electricity demand could certainly be considered within the realm of general welfare. (Incidentally, we are regulated by FERC and the Public Utilities Holding Company Act). A power plant is a highly regulated entity. This issue of public vs. private utility in Mr. Pleauís letter is just one of the distractions that avoid looking at the fact: the proposed use is less of an environmental impact that the current zoning permits. Six homes, a cattle barn, a grain handling facility and silos could be build on this acreage. All would have more of an impact. As an environmentalist for over 30 years and a member of the Sierra Club, Iím disturbed when environmentalistís credibility is damaged by ill-informed battles in the name of th environment. Environmentalists broadly support clean, gas generation vs. coal and nuclear. There may be residual ill-feelings that such a dominant power line crosses this region of North Branch or other such unresolved hostility from the past, but we are proposing the latest, cleanest and quietest technology of a size consistent with the surrounding area. Mr. Pleau should pick his battles more carefully and give some thought to four important facts: 1. This permit request is for an impact no greater than currently permitted in the AG1 zoning and much more regulated by state agencies in terms of noise and pollution. 2. The project gives the community jobs, tax income and the general welfare of local power source. A zoning change would be equally appropriate: the character of the proposed site is a juxtaposition of a gas line, power line and electric substation and our proposal is consistent with that very unique, current land use in that small corner of North Branch. 4. The current land owner has property rights and has an opportunity to make up for past transgressions of a gas pipeline and power line compromising its value by receiving more than market, farmland value for his property because of this juxtaposition of utility infrastructure. Failing to permit or change zoning to allow our project is an affront to the landownerís property rights. Since the proposed use is less of an impact than currently zoned, consistent in character with its surroundings and the proposed use serves the public, which certainly consumes electricity, the City Council and all current landowners, should be concerned when the right to obtain maximum economic value for my property rights is being attacked without merit. Edward Benson ©ECM Post Review |