Biomass opponents call attention to big business and misuse of scientific data at Jasper Utility meeting
The Jasper Utility Service Board met last night for its regular meeting but the spotlight of the meeting was on the proposed biomass conversion of the old Jasper Power Plant.
Three individuals were given time to make statements before the board.
Jerry Steckler, an organic dairy farmer near St. Henry, was allowed to address the board first. Taking the full twenty minutes allotted Steckler addressed concerns he had in dealing with seed companies that patent certain rhizomes. He also expressed concern in doing business with these corporate giants that have unscrupulous business practices.
Mendel Biotechnology, Inc, a biotech group directly partnered with Monsanto and BP, is the leading producer of a variant of the Miscanthus giganteus being considered as a crop for the biomass plant.
“I don’t believe that it is possible to give a little to nature and get a lot in return.” Steckler stated concerning the allegation that the proposed biomass crop Miscanthus Giganteus would be efficient and cost effective in power production. “It has been my experience in my life as a farmer that you never get more than you give.”
Steckler expressed fears about the impact of the root worm on his farming techniques. Large areas of the grass could further propagate the worm during the winter months. As an organic farmer he is unable to use pesticides to keep the worms in check and maintain an organic certification. The worm could be devastating towards the organic farms in the region.
Steckler further discussed the safety of burning the pesticides and fertilizers that will be present in the grass, calling for disclosure on what burning these chemicals will do to the local environment.
Next, Dr. Norma Kreilein, a local pediatrician, spoke. She began by admonishing Twisted Oak CEO Jay Catasein for not partaking in a public forum, but rather issuing rebuttals through the media.
She then gave an overview of the government’s stance on industry and health and the medical community’s stance on the most recent government standards concerning the emission of particulate matters.
“I want to go on the record again, to state that you cannot quote asthma rates in this county as a reflection of air quality.” Dr. Kreilein stated. “While it may be the only statistic that is out there, it is not an accurate representation of air quality in this county.”
She stated that these statistics only take into account hospitalization and ER visits, but do not count the significant amount of inflammatory respiratory disease outside of those occurrences. Kreilein reprimanded Catasein for using county health statistics concerning asthma and cancer rates to support the stance that the plant emissions will have low impact on the county’s health.
“There is not a single study at this point that has proven living at Love Canal (a controversial site of over 21,000 tons of toxic waste buried by Hooker Chemical in Niagara Falls, New York ) will cause cancer, but I will challenge any of you to live on top of a toxic dump that contains 21,000 tons of toxic waste.” Kreilein said in regards to the use of misinformation to sell projects to the public.
Kreilein reiterated Steckler’s previous statements and said, “We should be able to live without corporate chemicals in our culture.”
Kreilein then called for a public forum and stated the support of 27 physicians in the community that oppose the power plant project.
Twisted Oak CEO Jay Catasein then addressed the board concerning the statements against his character and involvement with Mirant Corp. Catasein bought an ad in the Monday, May 9 edition of The Herald to address those allegations.
Rick Stradtner, Vice Chairman of the Board, addressed his own concerns regarding the project. He implored that the Board have as transparent a process as possible. He also addressed the fact that the Board has been viewed as the defenders of Twisted Oak. He stated this was very dangerous in the public eye and reiterated the need for impartiality. He expressed concerns for the health of the community from the emissions of fine particulates.
He called for due diligence in the continued process of the implementation of the project and pushed for an open format with the public allowing their opinions to be heard.
“This is a business deal, pure and simple, with one individual putting the pieces of the puzzle together.” Stradtner stated. “The idea that we are working with a vertically integrated company with a proven track record is not the case. There’s a different approach here; a new mousetrap; new technology. But we’re placing a great deal of trust in this individual and we have to remember that it is our credibility as the board that is on the line here.”
Stradtner expressed that his statements were neither for or against the project but solely based upon his concerns only. He finished by saying the Board should review all of the data and take whatever amount of time was necessary to come to a decision after giving the public the opportunity to weigh in on the issue.
GM Bud Hauersperger proposed a public notice to be made available after it was approved by the Jasper Utility Board and the City Counsel. The notice would discuss many facets of the project including other studies that have been conducted, other communities that are using biomass power plants, air quality statistics, the effect on the water and waste water facilities, the root worm research, government incentives, and address many other questions that have arisen with the project.
If the ad was approved by both boards it would be made available later in the week.
Chairman Wayne Schuetter called for a vote concerning a public forum if the proposed plant project became a reality. He stated that the discussion between the board and Mr. Catasein was ongoing and not all concerns had been addressed but if an agreement was reached and the lease was sought a public question and answer forum should be scheduled prior to the final recommendation. Although a date was not set for the forum, the board unanimously approved.
