Posted by Ed on June 10, 2008, 8:22 pm
98.217.39.82
By Kaleigh Brousseau, Sun Correspondent
Article Last Updated: 06/04/2008 06:35:56 AM EDT
BILLERICA -- During an informational presentation at Town Hall last
night, members of the Billerica Watchers gave residents an idea of
the effects they believe will come about with the arrival of the
town's proposed power plant, including specific health risks and
serious concerns about water shortages.
The $200 million project from DG Clean Power would place a 348-
megawatt, natural-gas-fired power plant on Billerica Avenue.
About 40 residents attended the presentation, where members of
Billerica Watchers broke down statistics and the potential for harm
caused by the plant, focusing on negative impacts for water
resources, health and safety, air, noise and local wetlands.
Group members shared their concern with residents that DG Clean
Power's request for 40-million gallons of the town's water would
severely cripple the community. According to a CDM report that the
Billerica Watchers cited, the town of Billerica is already on pace to
exceed its water allotment by 2011.
Additionally, group President Ed Camplese used several graphs to
illustrate that the Concord River, from which DG Clean Power has
proposed to get the necessary water to sustain the plant, is already
depleted during the summer months.
"We're not saying the Concord River is going to dry out," said
Camplese. "We need to have this studied further."
Billerica resident Janet Garabedian,48, said she has many concerns
about the proposed plant, especially because she lives less than
a mile from where it would be located.
Garabedian said she fears for her children's health. She also has
concerns about the air and noise quality near her house.
"I would like to be able to keep my windows open," she said.
Joe Fitzpatrick, the CEO of DG Clean Power, was invited to the
presentation but did not attend, according to group members.
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