Globe Northwest Letter

Proposed power plant raises health concerns

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April 3, 2008

I would like to bring to light some important human health concerns about the proposed power plant in Billerica by DG Clean Energy.

The electrical plant is scheduled to be built off of Woburn Street near the South Lowell/North Billerica exit off Interstate 495. The communities of Billerica, Tewksbury, Chelmsford, and Lowell will be adversely affected for generations.

The plant has requested permits to run 2,300 hours. The math can be done different ways, but this breaks down to 9 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year.

The plant plans to build six 80-foot smokestacks that will emit chemicals such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. People within a 5-mile radius will be downwind from the smokestacks. Most of Billerica and large portions of Lowell, Chelmsford, and Tewksbury are included in this area. The plant will also use large amounts of caustic chemicals in its operations, such as ammonia and diesel fuels, and these chemicals will be stored on site.

The plant will be very close - approximately 1,000 feet - to the Concord River.

This will be the 13th-largest plant in Massachusetts. It will be unmanned and operated remotely.

Lowell, Tewksbury, Billerica, and Chelmsford will not necessarily receive electricity from this plant.

A plant of this size does not belong so close to such a large population of people. Children and the elderly are particularly sensitive to emissions from these sorts of plants. Studies have been done that suggest emissions will be at an acceptable level for human health. The fact of the matter is any emissions, no matter how low, can have effects on human health. The electrical plant will emit chemicals that can trigger asthma, affect people with COPD, and slow lung development and renewal.

Additionally, homeowners within a certain proximity should be concerned by their closeness to the plant when selling their property. This can adversely affect property values.

This plant could be built in a number of less populated regions throughout New England, but it is more financially beneficial for the plant to be built in North Billerica. Human health should not be potentially compromised because of the dollar and industry profit.

I urge residents to contact their local elected officials, local boards of health, and state representatives about this plan to build an electric plant in North Billerica.

For more information, visit billericapowerplant.org or stopthebillericapowerplant.org.

GEORGE NUGENT
Lowell

Proposed power plant raises health concerns

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