1/26/07

In a recent Tribune Counter/Point Editorial” Mr. Chaffee of Bison Engineers attacked the credibility of a respected local Pediatrician. Mr. Chafee has an Engineering degree not a Medical degree like Doctor Christensen who is trained to treat children for the diseases caused by these kinds of air pollutants.

Mr. Chaffee and the Tribune failed to disclose that he is Vice-President of Bison Engineering, a firm hired by Southern Montana Electric to promote the Highwood coal burning plant.

Mr. Chaffee’s company (Bison Engineers) also consulted for the failed and heavily fined Thompson Falls Co-Generation Plant in western Montana. He and his company also directed the environmental engineering for the Colstrip Coal Burning Plants currently polluting our state.

Mr. Chaffee makes statements that appear in no official documentation submitted by SME to the state. For example, the statement that Activated Carbon will be used in the process to reduce Mercury emissions does not officially exist.

Mr. Chaffee is a registered lobbyist for SME. These are the same folks that rallied against a strict mercury rule, requesting a “soft landing” for the Highwood plant. This legislative session they lobbied against solid waste regulations for coal plants and against regulatory oversight by the PSC.

Mr. Chaffee if you believe that 20 pounds of Mercury, 500 tons of Sulfur Dioxide and dangerous small particulate matter, along with 850 tons of nitrogen oxides and 3.1 million tons of CO2 per year have no adverse impact, how about building this plant near your home in Helena instead.

Donna Kramer