A candid video interview with Jasper Mayor Bill Schmitt

A brief summary of the video and interview

The City of Jasper is on the verge of deciding what to do with the old coal fired power plant; do they go through with the biomass conversion or tear it down (or Let It Sit as the Facebook group is called).

In this interview Schmitt reveals the plans for the proposed conversion have been in the works for a long time. Although a serious effort began four years ago he explained in the interview that this problem was apparent long ago as power usage steadily increased and rates followed. The culmination these events has pushed Jasper to look at other sources for electricity.

[adrotate group=”1″]

Schmitt calls for the opposition to look at the impact this power plant can have on communities everywhere as coal fired power plants raise rates to compensate for recent legislation. he points out this is an action to reduce emissions on a larger scale than just Jasper; people are going to continue to use electricity and, whether it is coal, gas, or a renewable crop, someone has to produce it somehow. Faced with a decision to tear it down or possibly turn it into something that could offset utility costs, increase tax revenues, and aid the city’s ailing budget, the city decided to move towards the latter.

Schmitt feels the current opposition to the biomass is just late to the table rather than his administration is rushing towards a deal with Jasper Clean Energy.

At the end of long twenty year career as mayor, Schmitt doesn’t want to leave any loose ends and hopes to finalize this while he is still in office, although he recognizes the next administration will face the task of regulating and working with Jasper Clean Energy.

Opponent’s to biomass have called Schmitt out for possibly having ulterior motives, personal financial motives, but he addresses this in the interview. The opposition has pointed out that positions on a board could be financial motivation for the council and Utility Service Board to approve the proposed lease with Jasper Clean Energy. To this Schmitt says his office has never been for sale and it never will be.

This is Schmitt’s last year in office and as his career is winding down, he reflected that his legacy shouldn’t be considered this power plant but the fact that Jasper has grown from a 9000 to 15,000 citizens in the time he has been in office. He considers one of his greatest achievements to be St. Charles and the bypass, as it has supported the growth of Jasper’s population as well as the increased business and industry.

The city is quickly approaching a decision as the public forum is being held on Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at the Jasper Arts Center. Whether the questions and answers will console the public or condemn the administration has yet to be determined but a decision is around the corner and the citizens need to be involved whether “for” or “against” biomass.