The video interview with Pastor Chris Breedlove
Chris Breedlove has been the pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ in Jasper for four years, but within the past two years Breedlove has been very active in opposing the city of Jasper’s proposal to convert the old coal fired power plant to a biomass power plant.
In the following interview Breedlove explains his position concerning the most recent developments and explains some of his motives for his opposition.
Recently the city of Jasper has moved quickly towards what appears to be a finalized lease deal. Within the past week the city has released a report from combustion expert Dr. Chris Shaddix, announced the plan for the public forum, and released the proposed lease for the public to review. Breedlove feels the whole process is being rushed, even pointing out that there are grammatical errors within the first few pages of the draft lease proposal.
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Breedlove is concerned about the late release of the draft lease proposal. He states the citizens are rushed to review the lease before the public forum that is scheduled for next Tuesday, July 26. He is also unhappy with timing of the public forum, questioning the motives of the city in scheduling the forum during a time when many citizens are squeezing that last little bit of vacation before school starts back up in three weeks.
Concerning the Shaddix Report, Breedlove questions whether Shaddix is truly an objective source. The corporation that Shaddix works for is partnered with Monsanto and Monsanto has ties with Mendel, the genetic company heavily involved in developing miscanthus for the biomass industry.
Although Shaddix addresses many of the concerns that have been cited by the Concerned Citizens of Jasper, Breedlove is concerned that Shaddix has not been here to view the existing power plant and site.
The apparent rush to the table by the City on top of questions raised about Dr. Alan Johnson’s role as a moderator has raised eyebrows within the group. Johnson’s affiliation with the Dubois County Area Development Corporation has tainted his objectivity in the eyes of the opposition. Breedlove feels that someone else should be sought out to fill that role as moderator at the upcoming forum.
The group has been consulting with lawyers experienced in litigating against biomass power plants and expects to move forward with litigation to stop Jasper Clean Energy if the lease is approved, but at this point they continue to educate the community and gain support in their opposition.
