Dear Neighbors,
I have been following the one-sided attack against the Sherco power plant in the local media recently.
As your state representative I need to weigh in on this issue.
First, The Sherco power plant is not "dirty" as Commissioner Rose Thelen states. Nor does it produce "slime" as Chuck Derry claims. See their statements in their recent letters to our local newspapers.
I have lived one mile downwind from the Sherco plant since 1998.
Every morning, I look out my window, and see the plant. I have never seen the plumes of "black smoke" coming out of the "4 stacks" as portrayed in some of the environmentalist propaganda pieces. The truth is, Sherco has two stacks and the color of the "smoke" is clear white.
I have yet to find "slime" in my yard, on my car or on my home.
Second, Becker Sherco meets the strict federal standards for clean air and will be spending millions to make their operation even cleaner in the years to come.
Commissioner Thelen cites the Center for Energy Justice and the Clean Air Task Force as a sources for her data. Both are private entities.
Neither of these groups are part of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Third, Becker Sherco employs over 350 people in our area. It subcontracts with over 150 more and currently has an additional 300 people working at the plant on various jobs.
The extreme left also has the Monticello nuclear plant in their sights. It employs about 300 people.
Do the math: That's 1,100 jobs directly related to energy in our area. This affects every business, every school and every industry in the region.
Becker Sherco provides power for over 2 million people in Minnesota. When combined with the Monticello nuclear plant that number reaches almost 3 million people served.
When 3 of every 5 people flip on the lights in Minnesota, the power comes from Monticello and Becker.
Our communities matter.
This area will wither up and die economically if Rose Thelen, Chuck Derry and their allies with the extreme environmental left get their wishes.
Do you think that the Sierra Club, Headquartered in San Francisco, cares about your job?
Pulling the plug on the Becker Sherco plant and Monticello Nuclear plant means pulling the ECONOMIC plug on Becker, Monticello, Clear Lake, Clearwater, Big Lake and the surrounding townships and communities.
This is not okay with me.
I will keep fighting for our jobs, our communities and for the truth.
The Public Utilities Commission is taking citizen input regarding this very issue. They need to be contacted by October 1st. There is still time to do so.
Email: PublicComments.PUC@state.mn.us
Or
U.S. Mail: Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101
Please contact me if you have any questions.
God's peace,
Jim Newberger
State Representative
House District 15B
rep.jim.newberger@house.mn
651-296-2451