January 2, 2008

To the Editor

Great Falls Tribune

What’s the economic impact of the coal-fired power plant in northeast Cascade County?

So far SME, city, and business officials have failed to explain the economic the consequences to Cascade County’s long established industries: agriculture and tourism.

According, to the best figures available there might be 62 employed during it 40 year lifespan of HGS. A city official recently testified that the project should collect around 11 million in taxes a year.

Yet, word is that SME is negotiating with the Montana Department of Revenue for a tax package. How much will they actually pay? Will the cooperative have a ten year tax moratorium like Coal Strip? Will this pay for the cost of the necessary infrastructure?

Take tourism for instance, nonresident visitors to Cascade County spent more than 147 million dollars during the 2006 season. Quite a few of these jobs have a larger income than is projected from coal fired power plant employees. Visitors also paid lodging and gasoline taxes including entry fees to our parks and museums.

In addition, governmental agencies, businesses, profit/non-profit organizations, and numerous individuals have contributed millions of dollars for restoration projects in Cascade County. The latest example is donations for the house across the river from the L&C Interpretive Center. How many millions of voluntary contributions will the coal-fired power plant attract during its life-span?

The income generated from the coal-fired power plant takes on a different perspective when one compares it to possible losses from future incomes generated by the preservation/tourism industry.

Sincerely,

Aart Dolman