That’s not an original, or even a newly coined, metaphor to describe the prolonged debate over a Fibrowatt plant in Surry County turning poultry litter into electricity. Throughout the two-year recruitment process, public officials and environmental groups batted back and forth on whether the proposed $150 million plant would do more economic good than environmental harm. Those following it all heard this metaphor more than once from a variety of sources.
But a grassroots group that just bubbled up opposing the plant has a new metaphor, and a new argument, to throw into the sphere of public debate. It involves Surry County, with its attractive natural resources and tourist destinations, as the prettiest girl at the ball and the power plant as a chain smoking deadbeat trying to take her home. Simply put, new opponents think saying yes to the plant means saying no to possible growth in the tourism and retirement sectors, sacrificing a quick boost to the tax base for a more sustainable plan to lure new businesses through quality of life. And that’s only one component of the multi-faceted status of the plant, a crossroads detailed in the March 1 edition of The Messenger.
Nine months after Fibrowatt’s announcement to locate in Surry, the company is still looking for a power purchase agreement with Duke Energy, while the county is still firming up a multi-million dollar incentives package. There’s still rezoning needed on the proposed site and an air quality permit from the state before any construction can begin. With hundreds of residents just now adding their voices to the debate, and local government officials reiterating their strong support, expect a lot more unsavory metaphors in the next few months.
Before Surry County rushes to approve zoning and incentives to bring Fibrowatt to our community, I think there should be a county-wide forum, with representatives of Fibrowatt and the Coalition for Responsible Economic Development (CRED) present. This forum should take place in the near future, and with plenty of time to advertise the forum to get a large crowd there. Each side should have a chance to present its case about why it thinks Fibrowatt would be either good or bad for our county. The citizens of Surry County deserve lots of honest answers to lots of serious questions being raised right now so that they are fully educated and aware of what the impact of Fibrowatt will be on Surry County. The County commissioneers need to share with the citizens of Surry County the results of any environmental impact studies that they have paid for (not what Fibrowatt has submitted), and they need to LISTEN to concerns being raised by their citizens.
The decision to bring Fibrowatt here (or not) is one that will have serious consequences for our community. And may I remind you that our community does not stop at the Yadkin river, or at the Surry County line. This incinerator will affect the views, environment and air quality of not only Surry County, but all surrounding counties and points east where the prevailing winds will carry the emissions.
Bringing Fibrowatt here should not be a decision entered into lightly without serious and open discussion between Fibrowatt, Surry County officials, and, most importantly, Surry county residents.
I call for an open, well-advertised forum, where questions can be answered and concerns addressed.
[...] does make note of some opposition to the concept of a prison, that was exclusively a byproduct of fierce objection to a Fibrowatt power plant near Elkin. Residents came to speak out against the plant, and with the prison public hearing next [...]
Solid post, Will definitely come back again soon.