UD/TDC Update: How Low Will People Go To Bring A Job To Delaware?

Did you read the News Journal Op-Ed this morning? ~ Sluggish economy in need of better cooperation

"In the meantime, business and labor leaders worry that opposition to a proposed data center project on the site of the old Chrysler plant in Newark is damaging the state’s rep­utation as an attractive place to bring business. Some residents in the New­ark area oppose The Data Center project because it calls for the con­struction of an on-site power plant to generate electricity. They claim the project would produce noise and air pollution, even though under the proposal so far The Data Center would be under the levels set by state regulations.
The fear isn’t about the regula­tions, but the protests against this proposal and seemingly every other job-creation proposal that has come along in recent months. Even Gov. Jack Markell said at a recent town hall meeting, the state has to stop saying no to jobs."

What's with this message from on high that average Joe Delawareans should simply bend over and assume the position? The errors that jump out from the Op-Ed:

- Upholding decent level of Quality of Life standards attracts business - not many businesses are drawn to Delaware City - right? At least the PBF refinery jobs are good jobs. TDC job numbers touted are likely mythical.

- Noise level violations are enforced by City Ordinance not state regulations.

- Pollution levels for TDC ARE NOT UNDER THE LEVELS SET BY STATE REGS. I guess this editor hasn't read the newly revealed Regulatory Advisory Service DNREC performed for TDC/UD in November 2011 which clearly states problems with 25 tons annual N02 emissions in  their 180MW plans. TDC 2013 plans call for 248MW and 74 yearly tons of N02 emitted.

- The state has to stop slipping and sliding under and around existing law while in the business of promoting and promising jobs.

-  Opposition in Newark is equally concerned with the duplicitous actions of UD and our City administration vis a vis our elected representation in setting up the special STAR campus zoning code with a loophole ostensibly allowing a utility scale power plant behind everyone's back.

- And in  the very likely duplicity between the UD and City administration with the insertion in our January 23, 2013 15-year contract - the City-UD Electric Service Agreement - which would gut the town's revenue should the UD execute the clause to let them abandon the contract and purchase energy from TDC.

An insightful comment rescue ~

 It's disgusting! How many people were FOR the wind turbine farm? Most! Yet the union representing the workers at the Indian River plant were opposed. It's not about being opposed to jobs, but creating the right kind of jobs. This is why we need some central planning. Waiting for the right good-hearted corporation to come along ain't gonna happen.

And on another note, my comment rescue ~

Seriously, you will publish an editorial like this and yet not insist your county beat reporter publish a story about the economic boost to be provided by NCC Department of Special Services' reduction in capital recovery fees associated with new construction? http://www2.nccde.org/newsdetails/default.aspx?ID=298 Instead, your reporter fished for a negative spin - that NCC administration doesn't have the authority to cut the fees. They do. So the story doesn't get written? 

And a letter ~ The very character of Newark is at stake

Thanks to many opinion pieces in The News Journal, we have an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that makes us want to accept any deal to bring jobs to Delaware.

John Sweeney describes the golden days of good-paying, middle-class jobs.

Then he asks where those jobs are now. Gone, never to re­turn.

So the issue of jobs becomes a conversation stopper.

Oh, we know the environ­ment will suffer: The proposed pipeline to supply the power plant in Newark will be run through White Clay Creek. This area was just described in The News Journal as the only waterway in Delaware that’s part of the National Wild and Scenic River program.

Increased carbon dioxide and other chemicals pouring into the atmosphere will mean increased lung disease and can­cer rates.

Property values will de­crease in the immediate area as pollution and noise accompany the development.

The very character of New­ark will be changed. But, no matter.

With all of this at stake, we are led to believe this is an all or nothing deal. We must accept the whole package to provide jobs.

Surely there are alterna­tives.

For one, the data center could run off the grid with more efficiency than the plant would provide.

We are not being told the whole story.

Margaret Cassling

Newark

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