Oxford Power Plant Opponents 'Not Impressed' With Tax Revenue Projections

Earlier on Tuesday a press conference was held in Shelton concerning the economic benefits of the proposed power plant in Oxford. Read that full story here.

Around 9 p.m. Tuesday, opponents to the power plant called, “Committee to Stop Towantic Power.”

Here is their statement in its entirety:

We are not impressed by the recent CCEA report that speculates on the potential of economic benefits from the proposed Oxford power plant. It’s no surprise that the report, commissioned by CPV Towantic LLC, the developer of the power plant, projects 25 years of massive monetary windfalls to the state and surrounding communities. It is also no surprise that there is little mention of the environmental impact this plant will have on the community.

This self serving report, by its own admission, relies on statements that the authors “cannot guarantee that the results we anticipate (and present herein) will be realized, or even if realized, will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the State of Connecticut’s or local municipalities’ economic situation.” In other words, it’s speculation as to what the financial consequences will be if this plant is ever built.

We find it unconscionable that First Selectman Temple is willing to gamble the health and well being of the citizens of Oxford in exchange for promises of reduced taxes and lower electric bills. The reality is that CPV has refused to comment on the effects on electric rates. In addition, Mr. Temple’s assertion that property values in Oxford will increase defies common sense, and flies in the face of current studies that report greatly reduced property values.

We are also hard pressed to understand Mr. Temple’s assertion that a polluting power plant would lend itself to increased interest in Oxford development. To the contrary, we suspect that future residential growth in the area will be severely depressed, and an already approved 600 home development will be put in jeopardy.

Lets not repeat the mistakes that were made 15 years ago when this project was conditionally approved. Lets not turn greenfields into brown fields.

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