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Louis Solomon: Many turned out against Alliant plant

Louis Solomon  —  10/09/2008 5:19 am

Dear Editor:

This letter supplements Anita Weier's article "Power to the People" in the Cap Times Oct. 1.

The Public Service Commission held a public hearing in Portage on Sept. 30 concerning Alliant Energy's proposed coal-fired power plant. I was there. My point is not to enumerate the reasons (ecological, economic and medical) why the plant should not be built. Many are contained in Weier's article and in testimony given under oath by about 50 participants. I want to describe the varied nature of these participants, which numbered about 100-150.

Most were young people, an appropriate group since it is their world that Alliant proposes to poison. But there were others. For example, an 82-year-old granny described her problems (and those of her husband) with asthma aggravated by soot. A minister, also a professor of philosophy and "ecological ethics," spoke against construction. Several physicians presented medical arguments against.

Few participants spoke in favor. One pro-Alliant speaker, a town government official, said that an Alliant executive returned his phone calls within 24 hours. Since he said it twice, this seemed his strongest reason for support.

Labor unions support the plant. The reason is clear enough: They want jobs. But several speakers remarked that green technology also offers new jobs in industries with opportunities for growth. Representatives of labor were at the hearing -- they could be recognized by their informative buttons -- but they did not speak.

It was an evening carried by the young, who give their time and thought and don't work for pay. (Disclaimer: I am 77.)

On the morning after the hearing, Alliant Energy told listeners to Wisconsin Public Radio, in an announcement of support for public radio, that Alliant is for green energy.

Louis Solomon

Madison

Louis Solomon  —  10/09/2008 5:19 am