Great Falls Tribune
November 26, 2008
On our minds: Our clean air, whining losers
The air we breathe
Dana Leininger's suggestion of supporting the Highwood Generating Station doesn't make economic, environmental or technological sense. Referencing selective scientific sources is the equal of pro-life vs. pro-choice. Don't feel bad, many people suffer from SME propaganda pollution, soon to become toxic air pollution.
The Citizens of Clean Energy have tried to educate the penny-wise pound foolish from repeating mistakes like Anaconda and various mining pollution disasters. Unfortunately, HGS pollution won't be measured by pounds, but rather tons! The DEQ gave SME an air permit with guidelines for how many tons they are allowed to pollute our air. At the DEQ hearing, one of the union orange shirts tried to get the DEQ to say HGS would be one of the cleanest coal plants built. The DEQ representative looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an 18-wheeler. The representative did some quick side stepping and the orange shirts cheered hearing what they wanted to hear!
The first reason for SME to single out Great Falls for a coal plant is our clean air. The cleaner the air, the greater the quantity of pollutant they are allowed to put into it! The next priority for HGS was our water. With loss of our historic water rights and our air no longer clean; HGS will likely eliminate any future industrial growth. Lastly, coal companies target low- to middle-income areas for construction sites. Regretfully, there are those who would sell the very air we breathe for profit!
Ñ S. Dimauro, Great Falls