A Turning Point
Progress Energy was denied a conditional use permit for the proposed Woodfin oil fired power plant this morning at approximately 12:30 AM, 4-3-07. Yes, the town meeting lasted until the next day, Tuesday. In the end, after hours of public and expert testimony, the application was denied.
To the untrained eye, this was a clear and resounding victory for -foremost - the residents of Woodfin who would bear the brunt of the impact of burning millions of gallons of oil in their community, the entire WNC region in terms of additional air pollution and the option now of developing a sustainable economic energy plan for WNC.
On the other hand, Progress has already suggested they will appeal this decision. It’s hard to imagine they will fight in court for the right to burn imported oil, contribute tons of greenhouse gases and polluting the environment, add to the medical burdens and costs of citizens, devalue property and then issues with 2 million gallons of diesel stored along the banks of the French Broad River. Thank goodness it never floods in WNC.
But they came up with this idea in the first place, so never say never. They could sue.
The Turning Point is now where we, as the WNC community, have a responsibility to take part in our own energy, environmental and economic planning. Yes, an oil plant was lunacy, but the underlying responsibility of providing reliable power, as Progress Energy is lawfully charged with, is still the central issue. Proven technologies and programs, some from Progress Energy in FL, can meet our immediate demands for peak power, as demonstrated in many states. This is not a new idea.
Fortunately as well, it may well be less expensive to cooperate with our community initiatives and partner in utility regulation restructing and decoupling to make a profit….. than fight it out in court. Since we have to work together eventually and at some point, let’s make this the Turning Point. When our utility company and the community simply work together, and first engage energy technologies, direct solar, L.E.E.D. building, rational planning, Zero Energy Homes, wind power and create jobs in these fields……. then after that, if we still need an oil fired power plant, let’s talk again. In the meantime, we catch up with the rest of the world and invest in the best investment, sustainable living.
Stay tuned for the launching of the WNC Community Sustainability Survey… where everyone who takes the survey will have a ‘vote’ in how we move forward, simply by finding ways to save energy or money yourself. Because, after all, if the power plant is permanently planted (sorry), we have to take care of the peak demand by 2010 anyway.
Finally, a big Thank You to the good folks in Woodfin who stood up for all the citizens of WNC. Go Woodfin!