Hundreds Protest Oxford Power Plant

Hundreds of residents from Oxford, Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Middlebury, drove up or took a bus to New Britain to oppose a proposed power plant for Oxford on Woodruff Hill Road that is located on the Middlebury line, The Waterbury Republican-American reports.

Protesters assembled at the Connecticut Siting Council’s offices. The Siting Council scheduled a hearing in Oxford on Jan. 15 which will include a site visit, and a hearing to be held at Oxford High School. The public will get to comment at 6 p.m. on Jan. 15, the Rep-Am reports.

The applicant will begin their presentation at 3 p.m.

Some Oxford officials support the project because of the massive tax revenue it is expected to produce. The facility could generate $56 million in property taxes over 18 years for Oxford, officials have estimated.

In a statement provided to NBC Connecticut, Yanina Daigle, who handles external affairs for the company, said the merits of the plant has already been debated and the project needs to begin.

“We believe in that process, and while we disagree with the positions being advocated by the opponents, we look forward to a thorough review by the CSC of our request for an amendment to improve upon our existing certificate,” Daigle told NBC.

Concerned residents passed out a flyer that states:

THE EJECTED MATERIALS ARE TOXIC

The plant elevation will be 834 feet with 150 foot stacks ejecting plumes up to 500 feet. At 1484 feet the wind will disburse the toxics. Per the CPV Tetra Tech Environmental Report the plant will eject the following toxics: nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid and volatile organic compounds.

These toxics will be in the air you breathe. Some of these toxics combine to form ground level ozone. New studies by the Environmental Protection Agency indicate ground level ozone can pose serious threats to public health, harm the respiratory system, cause or aggravate asthma and other lung diseases, and is linked to premature death from respiratory and cardiovascular causes. People most at risk from breathing air containing ozone include people with asthma, children, older adults, and those who are active or work outside.

Go to www.epa.gov - Click on learn the issues

Go to www.ct.gov/csc - Go to pending proceedings Docket 192B

TOGETHER WE CAN STOP TOWANTIC POWER.

Go to www.stoptowanticpower.com

Here is a recent press release from citizens opposed to the power plant.

One of the state’s largest fossil fuel power plants is proposed to be built adjacent to Oxford Airport. Natural gas (and oil) power plants add dangerous pollutants to the air that seriously impact the health of people within a ten mile radius, with children and the elderly most susceptible. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has linked air pollutants with cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory symptoms, reproductive issues and birth defects.

The plant will also create water problems, both in sourcing and disposal. When operating on natural gas, it will consume 58,000 gallons per day; in oil mode, it will use 1,000,000 gallons per day. Stop Towantic Power believes that consuming such a large amount of water could disrupt our aquifer and cause water shortages. That water, which is used to scrub the two 150 foot stacks, will ultimately be discharged into the Naugatuck River, contaminating it and harming fish, plants and wildlife.

Connecticut has signed a Department of Energy pledge to the 20/20 program: 20% of its energy coming from renewable sources by the year 2020. We are currently at 3%. The construction of the Towantic fossil fuel power plant will not contribute to this goal. The plant is also unnecessary, based on the Connecticut Siting Councils Forecast Report (Docket No. F-2012/2013) that concludes electric generation supply will be adequate through 2022.

National research studies have shown that property values will decline; air traffic will experience additional risks from the extremely hot plume being emitted from the smokestacks; and a safety risk will be introduced into populated areas.

Stop Towantic Power urges concerned citizens to write to the Connecticut Siting Council (Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051), their state and federal legislative representatives, local media and especially to Oxford town officials to express their displeasure and disapproval.

Visit Stop Towantic Power to learn more.

Also Read:

Discussion on Proposed Power Plant in Oxford Draws Crowd

Tentative Date for Public Hearing on Proposed Power Plant in Oxford