The Utility Service Board and Common Council approve resolution; Mayor signs as well
The story dominating Jasper headlines has been the biomass power plant proposal. Today it climaxed as the Utility Service Board and Common Council met in a special joint meeting to vote on the proposed lease.
Although this could be considered a turning point, in reality it appears the opposition is digging in even deeper. Larger weapons than voices and petitions now are being emplaced, but even though clouds of litigation shadowed the proceedings the city pressed on.
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The representatives of the city sat quietly nodding and glancing at each other as City Attorney Sandy Hemmerlein explained recent changes in the lease. These changes were prompted by comments at the public forum and from input from the community directly with the city.
Changes in the lease can be found here.
The Utility Service Board began with Ken Sendelweck Electric Commissioner. Sendelweck explained that five principles guided him in his decision making; how to turn a stranded asset into a positive revenue generation, mitigate or eliminate financial liability on the city, how do we control future activities, how do we improve the environmental impact over our coal legacy, and how might we generate growth in our local economy. Expressing that the plant had many controls for emissions and it was expected to be less than 1 percent of the total emissions in the county. Calling upon his background as a CPA he stated that the financial windfall, job growth, and with the increased protections for the city built into the lease he supported the proposal and voted yes.
Gas Commissioner Greg Krodel immediately voted yes. He stated the USB is in the business of providing their customers with utilities. He then explained he based his decision on three factors: is it a good business proposition, are we protected contractually, and will it be compliant with all state and federal laws in regards to IDEM and EPA. Krodel stated the answers to these questions and the benefits of this project compel him to vote yes.
Waste Water Commissioner Alex Emmons stated this was one of the most important decisions he had ever taken part in and it was not an easy decision, Simmons explained that three years ago he was ready to close the plant down but since has found the merit in the proposal. After each issue brought forward by the opposition was disproved or devalued and the only problem was emissions, he felt the benefits outweighed the potential problems. Citing jobs, revenue increases from utilities, savings for the customers, and recognizing the opposition’s stance he stated he couldn’t walk away from the opportunity and voted yes.
Water Commissioner Doug Schulte cited that despite the issues raised by the opposition the countless hours the commission has spent in researching and putting together this proposal had compelled him to vote yes.
Secretary Mike Harder explained that with all of the regulations, the money, and the monitoring Jasper Clean Energy will have to follow to even operate the safeguards were in place and he supported the proposed lease and voted yes.
Vice Chair Rick Stradtner stated he had contrary view to the proceedings. He felt that the people’s consideration should be taken in making this decision and if one of the mayoral candidate’s statements is true then 60 percent of the people polled were against the proposal. He stated it wasn’t an easy decision to come to as he recognized the economic impact the plant could have on the community, but Stradtner explained that his main position was to represent the feelings of the majority of the community.
“We live in a representative democracy and it is my belief that I am obligated to vote in accordance with the wishes of the majority.” Stradtner said. He then stated that based on his own interactions with the community, the methods of the proceedings, and the apparent disregard of the majority’s feelings he must vote no.
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Chairman Wayne Schuetter explained that he has been a member of the Sierra Club for 30 years and before that a member of Green Peace. He stated that this environmental background was important in coming to a decision. He then stated that many in the community came to conclusions against this power plant prematurely with little to no correct information. He has personally been very concerned about the power plant proposal, but he believes he has protected the city, he has listened to the public, and he has listened to the opposition. Schuetter stated he made his decision today, not months ago as some have said, and he feels that this is the best decision to come to and that Jasper must lead the way to future power production and voted yes.
The USB then presented the proposal to the Common Council with a vote of 6 to 1 in favor.
Councilman John Schroeder stated he would vote in support of the proposal. He felt that the lease was the most viable option to come to. With the studies conducted by Shaddix and the regulations in place he was comfortable with voting yes.
Councilman Dave Prechtel stated that much of his family lives in the area and he would never make a decision that would endanger them. He stated that this project’s benefits greatly outweighed the risks and he voted yes.
Councilman Tom Schmitt voted yes based on the fact that the many concerns had been addressed. The job growth outweighed the potential for emmisions.
Councilman Bud Schitter expressed gratitude to the USB for the many hours they had spent on this project. He continued by stating that with the current economic concerns and the low level of emissions from the plant this was a win/win situation. He then voted yes.
Councilman Kevin Manley voted yes. He stated he based his vote on the fact that the power plant was limited on the amount of emissions they would produce; the power plant would provide a positive economic impact on the city; and the business owner that runs Twisted Oak was a business owner that wants to open a business in Jasper and should be treated as such.
Councilman Randy Buchta stated he remembered the days when the power plant burned coal 24/7. Explaining that the technology has advanced and that with the due diligence of the city concerning the controls that Jasper Clean Energy has to comply to mitigated the risks and he voted yes.
Councilman Ray Howard explained that if his assumptions are wrong about the power plant then due to the proximity of his home to the plant, he and his family will most likely be stricken with health problems. He then stated that despite the potential, he felt that with the current proposal that wouldn’t happen and voted yes for the lease.
The mayor then accepted the unanimous decision of the council to accept the lease. He stated that he has the power to veto the proposal. He then explained the sordid history of coming to this decision: the extensive background checks and the vetting of Jay Catasein’s character; the many attacks from the opposition and the response from the city to each; the extra restrictions on the operation of the plant; and the business growth potential. He then accepted the proposal and signed the resolution.
