Rob Gifford, Jen Wallace and Amy Roe speak in front of city hall Monday night on behalf of The Newark Residents Against the Power Plant and took questions from those in the crowd.NEWARK POST PHOTO BY KARIE SIMMONS
How ironic that the Newark Post today has photos of News Journal reporter Burke attending the No Newark Power Plant presser last night and snapping pictures (in the white coat above) but none of it made it into Burke's article. Not even the request to Newark Council to use their power to investigate the actions of City Manger Carol Houck who either failed to read the TDC DEDO Infrastructure grant application she endorsed and which clearly stated the power plant was intended as a non-accessory use or, if she did read the document, failed to provide it to Council or to Max Walton, the attorney they hired in September for an opinion on whether TDC's power plant is an allowable accessory use under the City's STC Zoning code.
(Newark Post) Karie Simmons reports ~ Power plant opponents claim a victory against TDC - City says zoning decision expected soon
(UD Review) Martin Drake reports ~ Newark residents celebrate ‘timely victory’ against proposed power plant
Read the RAPP presser HERE
And letters in the News Journal today ~
Environmental assurances about data center are too hazy
In the recent commentary on the data center/power plant in Newark, the author makes the project seem like the best thing since sliced bread.
Newark of the future will be a buzzing hub of industry and prosperity.
However, in addressing environmental concerns, his assurances are vague. “Plans are more advanced than anything produced before and would exceed federal and state environmental regulations.” What was “produced before?” The awful track record of power plants and refineries that have led to toxic clean-up jobs left to the taxpayers? It’s supposed to be better than that? Oh, then it’s OK.
Exceed federal and state environmental regulations? You mean like the regulations regarding the Delaware City refinery and the Salem nuclear power plant that environmental groups just filed a lawsuit to require the state to actually enforce? Oh, “THOSE”kind ofregulations. Thanks; I’m not worried now.
In his Nov. 3 Delaware Voice, Gov. Markell was equally trusting in our environmental regulators when he wrote “The process to determine whether companies meet them should be rigorous and include public input.” Up to this point, the whole affair has been secretive. Only through citizen demands have the size and scope of this project come out. The company refuses even to give information on financial backing saying it is not required.
Also in that same Sunday’s paper was this article: “Lawsuits claim Love Canal oozing 35 years later.” Is this what we want?
David R. Cassling
Newark
Data center would put money ahead of health (this letter is not presently online but appears in their e-news print version)
The power plant proposed for the University of Delaware’s STAR campus would be unhealthy for Newark residents and potentially for surrounding communities in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. In their own permit application to DNREC for air quality zoning, The Data Center states the plant will emit 74 tons of nitrogen oxides, 78 tons of carbon monoxide, 81 tons of volatile organic compounds, 9 tons of sulfur dioxide, 59 tons of particulates, 72 tons of ammonia (in addition to the 900,000 tons of greenhouse gasses) every year. No one should be breathing these things.
This power plant location is right in the middle not only of thousands of families, but also day care centers, schools, senior centers and university students. Our own Gov. Markell, the Better Business Bureau, and a good number of Republican state senators and representatives are putting money ahead of the health and well-being of our citizens. That is just plain wrong.
Karen Barker
Newark
Don't let the 'few' ruin chance for more jobs
As a longtime resident of Newark and recently retired president of Iron Workers Local 451 in Wilmington, I strongly support the data center and the folks in charge. My last three years as president, my members suffered undo hardships with at times 40 percent and 50 percent unemployed.There were fifty people in the crowd last night, 1,200 city residents signed a petition against the power plant and scores have spoken out in Council meetings. It is not a few or a handful no matter what the News Journal editors wish to portray (they write these subheadings).
The good-paying construction jobs the data center brings to Delaware are needed. The 600-plus permanent jobs are needed. Taxes that will come to Newark and New Castle County are needed.
Last spring I was fortunate to meet with the data center people. Those folks running that company are nothing but a firstclass act. The professionalism that they brought to the table was outstanding. We as Delawareans need first-class employers like the ones I met.
Why do we always let the few guide the many? It seems there are plenty of environmental checks in place, so let’s keep pushing good clean jobs all the way to China or elsewhere. They would love to have them.
Kevin D. Irwin
Newark
And yes, it's funny to note - as in strange funny - that while News Journal reporter Melissa Nann Burke was caught on camera attending the RAPP presser last night, she neglected to report about it in her news story today. What up with that?
Meanwhile, the UD Review has another power plant story up HERE.
~*~
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