SME spin

Once again SME put on a great show for those who attended the public hearing on rezoning. You can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear! Let’s put that in today’s language, “The spin on pros for the Highwood Generating Station by SME was impressive.” They managed to once again trivialize the health hazard, farm property value, air/water concerns, Montana’s historical landmark and global warming. Mr. Gregori even said they didn’t want to use eminent domain to acquire property for infrastructure on HGS, but would as a last resort. As long as we are doing spot zoning, I would prefer a Outlet mall instead of HGS. If you think that’s funny, one of the reasons for having HGS built here is we don’t have tornados, but that could change. After all, who would have thought the polar ice caps would melt. After the SME show, one of the proponents expressed his empathy for the Urquhart neighbors by saying “If one farmer loses organic status because of the pollution from HGS that’s just progress.” Let’s recap; construction costs of $520 million raising to $720 million, cheap electricity for all to only customers of ECP, $11 million in property tax base to tax exemption after construction, 30 years of employment for 65 MT people and lastly change the vista of farmland to Coal Town Central 24/7! Same old tune with different pipers, forget the amber waves of grain, let’s pave paradise and put up a parking lot!

Sandra DiMauro 1/27/08