Gretna resident questions decision on biomass plant

I have many unanswered questions about the biomass incinerator (in the planning stages for the Gretna Industrial Park). Why has there been no public discussion of the hazards of such a facility in our county and city commission meetings?  Why were the neighbors of the plant not notified?  Why haven't they told us about the air pollution (smog, soot and acid rain) it will cause?  Hadn’t you heard that burning biomass is dirtier than burning coal?  Why haven’t they told us about the associated medical problems like heart disease, cancer, asthma and emphysema?  Why is this facility being placed so near to where our Gretna and Quincy children go to school? 

When the women’s prison was built our wells ran dry and we had to dig deeper ones.  Where will the water used to clean the plant come from?  Where will the dirty water, heavy with toxic chemicals go – our creeks, wells and city water systems?  Where will the high voltage power lines be? 

Why didn’t they tell us about the 300 extra semi trucks a day roaring through Gretna and Quincy?  With seven biomass incinerators being planned in this area, there aren’t enough wood products to go around.  What will the plant burn when it runs out of trees?  Will it burn garbage, railroad ties, old tires and construction materials like they do in other states?

Our elected officials treat us like small children, they pat us on the head, tell us to fear not and run along to bed. But the bogeyman is here – in our own backyard.

Laura Robbins Schell

Gretna