Power Plant Page
 10/15/2007 04:41 PM

Economic Issues

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Economic Links

Economic Analysis Summary

Peter Michael Testimony to BOCC

Major Economic Issues

  • Decrease in Property Values - our homes are our largest investments and this Power Plant WILL lower their values. This has a significant impact on each and every homeowner in the area.

  • Power Plants have a negative connotation -it doesn't matter if this is the safest, cleanest plant in the world.  Having a power plant here in Adamstown will cause a portion of potential home buyers to choose to live elsewhere.  I know I would have had second thoughts about moving here.

Economic Questions, Answers and Comments

  • Sempra currently does not believe there will be any economic damages suffered by the neighbors of the plant.  Now that the issue has been raised, they are hiring an independent consultant to do an analysis for them.

  • Peter Michael has completed his preliminary economic impact analysis of the effects that the power plant would have on the local economy.  His analysis shows a negative impact of ~ 36 MILLION dollars.  Click this link to see the one page summary.  He also testified about the impact and analysis at the BOCC meeting on 5/27.  Click here for a copy of his testimony.

  • Comment - From Tom Mangold email: For those living near the the Ocean State 500MW Power Plant in Burrillville, RI, which like the proposed plan is a combined cycle, natural gas fired facility -- the area near the plant experienced a 29% loss in home prices, noise 24 hours a day (like having your neighbor run his lawnmower all night), not to mention the toxic emissions from the smoke stacks, and the 2am steam blows.  If your home appraises for $450K, that is $130K loss in value!!!

My Ideas on Economic Impact Mitigation: To help mitigate potential issues I recommend the following:

  • Do not build the plant here

  • Sempra should commit to building a 100 foot high earthen berm around the entire area where any active facilities exist on the entire property.  This berm should then be covered in grasses and both evergreen and deciduous trees.  This would serve multiple purposes including blast abatement, noise abatement and visual impact abatement.  It would then look more like rolling hills than an industrial complex. 

Disclaimer:  This page is being developed and presented by a citizen of Adamstown, and the opinions represented here do not necessarily reflect the views of anyone beyond that individual.  Information is expected to be posted here from a variety of sources and a variety of links with differing opinions.  This site is intended to facilitate the free flow of information outside of those normal channels being provided by parties directly involved in any of the actions that are discussed.