Letter to the Editor

Questions remain about proposed power plant

To the editor:

Last August a meeting was held regarding the proposed Kinder-Morgan Power Co. plant. County commissioners expected a handful of people, but over 70 people appeared. Little concrete information was provided.

Kinder-Morgan didn't want to reduce smog-producing emissions as required by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. A final decision on their appeal will be rendered after an April 16 hearing.

Residents were concerned about wells running dry, since the plant would use more water daily than the city of Jackson (2.69 million gallons). John Gibson of Kinder-Morgan promised to share an initial water study and later commissioned a more detailed ground water study. He stated in writing the intent to share results with the public by January, but no information is available to date.

Ground instability issues included a large sinkhole and earthquake threat. Kinder-Morgan's promised electromagnetic analysis and prepared stratification maps are still unavailable to the public.

Environmental concerns included one test well site with erosion and dumping. Thermal, light and noise pollution and their impact upon Lake Girardeau have yet to be investigated. The plan for release of heated water after use remains unanswered.

Cape Girardeau County commissioners promised to call a public meeting before financial decisions were made but preferred to make plans in recent closed-door meetings. Should we do business with a company that cannot keep its promises and risk destroying our nonrenewable natural resources?

TERRI KAUFFMAN

Jackson, Mo.