Richard Fristik

USDA Rural Development, Utilities Programs

1400 Independence Ave. SW

Mail Stop 1571, Room 2237

Washington D.C. 22050-1571

August 30, 2006

Dear Richard Fristik:

I am writing to express my concern and voice my opposition to the proposed Southern Montana Energy Highwood Generating Station. The technology the plant will utilize is outdated and will jeopardize the rights of future parents and children in Montana and beyond to live healthy and productive lives.

As an educator, I have often been faced with the monumental task of addressing the needs of families with autistic children. These children face obstacles in education and are severely limited in finding normalcy in their everyday life. The spike of autism in the United States has a direct correlation with the increase of mercury in the environment much of which is produced by coal burning power plants. Currently, one in every six children born in the United States is exposed to potential unsafe levels of mercury during pregnancy.

Rural school districts are at a severe disadvantage in being able to provide services for these children with special needs. According to the Autism Society of America, approximately $90 billion dollars is currently spent on the treatment of autism and that figure is expected to rise to $200 - $400 billion dollars by 2010. These costs do not include the economic impacts on families that have to provide lifelong care for those family members affected by the disorder.

If the USDA Rural Development is “committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America,” It should have severe reservations in supporting the Highwood Generating Station. The CFB technology SME is proposing to use is outdated and will contribute to the amount of mercury released into the environment thereby increasing the likelihood of exposure to mercury contaminants.

Please deny Southern Montana Energy the funding to build the Highwood Generating System. The proposal in its current form is in direct contradiction to the Rural Development’s mission of improving the quality of life in rural America.

Respectfully yours,

Kendall May

Center Director