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OpinionCitizens ready to fight power plant in North BranchTo the editor: In order to find unbiased information, I contacted a number of agencies as stated below. ï Air Pollution: A power plant can annually emit up to 10 tons of one chemical or up to 25 tons of a combination of chemicals before they are considered toxic. Information source: MPCA. Prairie Gen stated: ìThe natural gas turbine would be turned on during peak energy usage times, like hot summer months.î A potential concern, then, is that the emissions would be more concentrated on hot humid days due to the moisture in the air trapping the pollutants. ï Water Pollution: Prairie Gen stated that 300 gallons of water mixed with solvents & ìwhat notsî will be used to wash the gas turbine once a week. At this point the water will be put in a holding tank & hauled away to a proper facility. However, in the future if the state allows it, Prairie Gen stated they would dispose of the water into a public sewer or septic on their property. (If the N.B. City Council were to issue a conditional use permit without stipulating that this would not be allowed, Prairie Gen would be governed on this issue only by the state.) ï Noise Pollution: Prairie Gen stated in their proposal that they would build a metal building over the gas turbine (power plant) which they say should reduce the decibel level. However, there would be no proof of this reduction until after the fact. Prairie Gen made a comparison that a house with the windows closed reduces sound and yet the drawings that they submitted picture a metal building with 2 large air intake vents, out of which sound could travel. Another potential concern, brought up by a building engineer, is that a metal building with the proposed dimensions, 70í x30íW x 45í H, may produce much noise on a windy day from rattling metal unless correctly built. ï Tax Exempt: Prairie Gen stated that their power plant will cost between 28 and 30 million dollars to build. The most expensive part of the project would fall under the category of personal property. According to the MN Department of Revenue, power plants that have applied have received personal property tax exemption. ï Tax Revenue for N.B.: Prairie Gen is a for-profit business and therefore, if they purchase the proposed land it would be assessed commercial. For example, the proposed 60 -acre Tax Parcel #11-00743-00 would be assessed alone in 2001 for $97,600 (payable in 2002). Combined with an all metal building (70íL x 30íW x45íH) roughly estimated by a builder to cost $120,000, the property assessment would then be $217,000. In this example the tax revenue for 2002 would equal $7,122 (far less then doubling the N.B. Tax base as announced) & divided between state, co. and the City of N.B. Information source: Chisago Co. Assessors Office. Along with this, according to the MN Dept. of Revenue, the property value for power facilities depreciates over the years. ï Legal Definition of a Public Utility: Public utility power plants are not at risk of monetary loss as it is passed on to the consumer, and they must also sell their power retail. ï Legal Action: Under City Code Section 17.16.040, the district allows for conditional uses in the AG1 district as stated: ìpublic utility buildings and structures necessary for the health, safety and general welfare of the community.î Prairie Gen is not a public utility, therefore a group of N.B. citizens will take legal action if the N.B. City Council approves the conditional use permit. ï Petition: Approximately 200 N.B. business people and concerned citizens have already signed a petition stating that they are opposed to the construction of a power facility by Prairie Gen due to the potential air & noise pollution, disruption to wildlife habitat, and the violation of the city code. Pierre Jacques Pleau ©ECM Post Review |