Discussion on Nemadji Trail Energy Center takes place over two days
The debate around the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) continued Tuesday night as the League of Women Voters of Douglas County held a community forum to discuss the project. The $700 million natural gas plant proposed for the City of Superior was the topic for the presentation and Q&A panel.
One of the event’s speakers was Dr. Brittany Keyes, who spoke of her experience with a plant similar to this one that was placed in her home community.
“I am from Bullitt, Wisconsin and I am here to share the community financial and health impacts as we had a gas plant expand and go live about five years ago. A lot of the promises in talking points that have been given to Superior were given to us, and not many of them have come to fruition as far as the financial benefits. We have experienced a lot of health detriments.”
Brittany Keyes, Doctor, Physical Therapy
A representative from ALLETE provided WDIO with a statement saying:
“The Nemadji Trail Energy Center has received 14 regulatory approvals including an air permit to operate. This project has been extensively reviewed and found to have no significant impact to the environment or human health. The WDNR and EPA both have the responsibility of protecting the environment and human health – they use health-based data to develop National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and other standards. It is our regulators’ responsibility to set the appropriate standards and permit limits; it’s our responsibility to meet those limits and of course we are committed to doing that.”
The League is hosting another public meeting Wednesday, February 21st at the Superior Public Library starting at noon.