Letter to the Editor: Drought should be cause for reconsideration
To the editor:
Good planning in changing times requires wisdom. Drought conditions exist in the majority of Indiana counties, including Dubois County. The city of Jasper has invoked emergency water conservation measures this summer. It is unlikely that this drought is unique to this year given climate change. In fact, droughts may intensify in future years. Despite this extended severe drought, the City of Jasper plans to expand its existing power plant to burn natural gas and biomass.
It is estimated that Jasper Clean Energy Center would use approximately 400,000 (600,000 maximum) gallons of water per day, which is 50 to 70 percent more water each year than what the coal power plant used in its past operation. If Jasper clean energy was to operate at full capacity using a maximum 600,000 gallons of water a day, then that would equate to approximately 17% of all of the city’s total water usage. Water should be treated as precious and a necessary resource, not as a profit commodity by governing municipalities. Imagine current severe drought conditions with the Jasper Clean Energy Center tapping out 17% of the city’s water usage.
As for the proposed natural gas and biomass facility, given its close proximity to existing homes, the city of Jasper would be better served if its city leadership would reconsider the proposed Jasper Clean Energy Center by openly exploring alternatives to a plant that threatens the water supply and air quality. There are safer ways to meet the goals of the community. What are those innovative and safer alternatives?
Furthermore, the city of Jasper leadership should place the burden of proof on proponents of an activity rather than on concerned citizens or potential victims of the activity. This means that the proponents of the biomass plant should show that it will not cause harm by threatening air quality or the water supply.
A municipality that serves its citizens works toward goals that protect the health of its citizens and the environment, and that bring democracy and transparency to those decisions. The previous recommended actions reflect a commitment to the precautionary principle which calls for foresight and wisdom in the face of uncertainty.
Carolyn Raffensperger, M.A., J.D.
Carolyn is executive director of the Science and Environmental Health Network Since 1998, SEHN has been the leading proponent in the United States of the Precautionary Principle as a new basis for environmental and public health policy. SEHN has worked with issue driven organizations, national environmental health coalitions, municipal and state governments, and several NGO/government teams to implement precautionary policies at local and state levels.
