MAJOR THREAT

 

The headlines in the Tribune February 9, 2008 had a revealing article written by Karl Puckett. 

 

This article points out concerns by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality review board members explaining that the proposed Highwood Coal Plant will discharge into the air some of the most dangerous and unhealthy very small particulate pollution matter known as PM 2.5 emissions.

 

This dangerous small particulate pollution will rain down on the Great Falls citizens and surrounding landowners over the next 50 years.

 

During the public testimony before the DEQ Board it was brought to light that firms contracted by SME had different communications concerning these dangerous and unhealthy pollution's. They decided not to mention these in their materials submitted.  

 

The public meetings, advertisements, promotions from SME; “The Highwood Coal Plant will be the “cleanest in the country” is simply but boldly put “Not true“.

 

The “lack” of informed leadership by our “elected” officials that promote this plant is astounding.

 

SME’s claim that their lights are going out is simply “Not true“. There is a Co-op office in Great Falls that once had fourteen Co-ops all members of Central Montana Electric Cooperative.   Nine of these fourteen Co-ops, knowing it was a bad idea to build a coal plant, have gone out and bought long-term economical power and their lights “are not” going out. 

 

Mr. Georgi resigned as CEO of Central Montana Electric Cooperative, convincing the remaining five Co-ops, now called “SME” to build a polluting coal-fired plant in Great Falls.

 

Donna Kramer