Clyde couple doesn’t like new electric plant plans
Terry on Aug 4th 2011
By Dick Berry – email
CLYDE, OH (WTOL) – There’s skepticism from a Clyde couple whose daughter died as part of the a mysterious cancer cluster there.
The Sandusky Clyde Energy Solutions Company plans to build a new electricity plant at Clyde’s Industrial Park.
The plant will be powered by natural gas and electricity sold to the city over a ten year period.
“We’re bringing to Ohio another technology that will take the garbage that’s here and convert it into a natural gas too,” Jim Anderson of Sandusky Clyde Energy Solutions said.
But none of this will happen without the approval from the Ohio EPA.
“I’m not sure I believe everything the Ohio EPA says,” according to Warren Brown. He still doesn’t know why his daughter Alexa and three other children died as part of the Clyde cancer cluster.
At least forty children have been affected.
“Do I think their putting anything into the atmosphere is a good idea? No. Do we need electricity? Yes. Do we need this plant? I don’t know the answer to that question,” Brown said.
Thursday night, a hearing was held at Clyde High School by the Ohio EPA to take public testimony on whether the agency should issue an emissions permit for the plant.
Only a handful of people attended, including Mr. Brown and his wife Wendy.
Ohio EPA officials tell them they have nothing to worry about.
“With regards to the facility, we examined it on its own merits and we found it will be compliant with our pollution requirements that are protecting human health and the environment,” Jan Treadway of the Ohio EPA said.
Wendy Brown remains skeptical. “I don’t think anything would really make me feel comfortable because I know pretty much anything in the air poses a hazard.”
Company officials guarantee cancer cluster parents the plant will be a safe operation.
“We’re very aware of the cancer cluster. So we wanted it to be a safe, productive plant,” Anderson said.
The Ohio EPA will accept written comments about the plant until August 12.
Expect a decision on the emissions permit application shortly after that.
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Filed in Ohio
