Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 19, 1990 TAG: 9006190297
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: By KEVIN KITTREDGE SHENANDOAH BUREAU
DATELINE: BUENA VISTA LENGTH: Medium
The hearing, to receive public comments on whether to issue the Hadson Corp. plant a water withdrawal permit, drew opinions from both sides.
"From the beginning, [city] council has stated that the plant should be built if it meets all applicable environmental regulatory issues," said Buena Vista Mayor Harold Kidd, speaking in a packed auditorium at Southern Seminary College.
"We at Georgia Bonded Fibers support the Hadson Corp. in their application," added James Kostelni, company president. Georgia Bonded Fibers would be the industrial host for the proposed 60 megawatt plant, using its excess steam for manufacturing purposes.
The cogeneration plant also would sell electricity to Virginia Power.
But critics of the plant Monday night seemed more numerous, arguing that state officials should take a closer look before approving a permit to draw 2.21 cubic feet of water per second from the Maury River.
"I would like to beg of you to keep in mind the health of our citizens of today and tomorrow, and also our beautiful environment," said Mary Graham, a registered nurse. "This is one of our beautiful areas and we want to keep it that way."
"Rather than being a pristine river, this river already suffers from some pollution," added Daniel Pharr, an associate chemistry professor at Virginia Military Institute.
Motel owner Fahim Qubain presented a petition with 1,300 signatures opposing the plant. "I hazard to guess more than 10,000 other residents of Rockbridge County are opposed to the establishment of Hadson's proposed cogeneration plant," Qubain added.
David Bailey of the Environmental Defense Fund argued the minimum river flow allowed by the proposed permit is too low, and would not allow for canoeing.
The hearing drew sparks early, as someone yelled for a Hadson official to turn around and face the crowd when he spoke.
Bidgood Wall, vice chairman of the water board, immediately noted the hearing was for him to receive comments to help the water board make its decision later, and the speakers should look toward him.
"This is not a confrontation between speakers up here and the audience, and we won't have any of that," said Wall, who sat at the front of the auditorium.
Hadson spokesman Andrew Shea said the company "recognizes and respects the aesthetic, cultural and natural resource values of the Maury River."
The proposed plant also must win an air quality permit from the state.
by CNB