Mr. Apking also asked about
the current zoning for the proposed location. It is A/R (agricultural/residential).
The proposed plant would require M2 (heavy industrial).
What about noise pollution?
This would be a 1,023 megawatt plant, one of the larger such facilities
in the state. Huge generators will be running 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. Folks living near a similar plant on the Heard County-Coweta County
line say it sounds like a jet plane that never goes away.
What about visual pollution?
Four smokestacks, each 210 feet tall, will lower the quality of life and
reduce property values in the entire area.
What about light pollution?
Power plants are very brightly illuminated by arrays of powerful lights,
blocking any clear view of the night sky (and shining in bedroom windows)
for miles around.
What about the seven million
gallons of water this plant will use each day? Even though they propose
to build a 12-mile pipeline to the Chattahoochee and use non-potable water,
that water is forever lost from other possible uses. Folks downstream
are still our neighbors.
The major problem with this
proposed plant is its location. By their very nature, power plants should
be built in a less populated area, and almost always are. By our estimate,
the proposed site is within five miles of over 30,000 residents.
A most troubling situation
is that of Christian City, a huge convalescent, retirement and children's
center with over 1,100 residents, all especially vulnerable to pollution.
Most of the retirees have their life's savings tied up in these retirement
homes. The proposed site is under a mile from the existing Christian City
complex, and just over half a mile from their planned new children's facility.
One last fact: Georgia is a
power-exporting state. We produce more than we use. Williams Energy is
on the national grid, and sells power to the highest bidder. One of the
highest bidders this year is California.
To destroy the quality of life
for Christian City and a large portion of Fayette County for this purpose
would truly be an abomination.
Brenda and Chuck Davenport
Fayetteville
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Easy button Return it to long suffering taxpayers including those who have paid huge tabs to educate other people's kids…