LETTER: Vote 'No' on the Oxford Power Plant Tax Deal

Letter to the Editor,

I ask Oxford parents to carefully consider the importance of a “NO” vote at the Oxford Referendum on February 11.

The government environmental agencies, EPA (Federal) and DEEP (State), clearly report that children are among the high risk groups that could be negatively affected by power plant pollution.

What evidence has been presented to you that will conclusively guarantee your child’s safety? Unexpected things happen, like the toxic lead recently discovered in drinking water in Flint, Michigan that is causing health issues.

This plant will be among the largest in Connecticut. There will be pollution if you are within a 10-mile radius of the plant. You will not be immune! Isn’t it better to be safe rather than sorry?

Do you think it is worth the risk to your child’s health to trade it for power plant dollars? Did you know that this plant would burn oil up to 30 days per year?

The pollution from the oil will be even worse than from natural gas. In Medway, Mass. the Exelon plant will pay a cash penalty to the town whenever fuel oil is burned instead of natural gas.

This is because Medway in its negotiation recognized the increased hazard of oil to its residents. Why was that not considered in Oxford? Why should your children be subjected to even more pollutants?

Next door in Beacon Falls, $200 million will be added to the grand list by the addition of a 63 MW fuel cell plant that does not burn fuels or pollute the town.

Now that is a good deal! Personally, I am extremely concerned about my grandkids who live here. No amount of money could convince me to risk their health. I urge parents to vote “NO”!

Jerry Fogel

Oxford, CT