Ethanol plant is a bad idea (05/22/06)

To the editor:

The idea of building an ethanol producing plant by Premier Ethanol LLC stinks. Literally.

Ethanol plants tend to produce foul-smelling by-products as well as releasing possible cancer-causing agents. The proposed location of this plant would use the prevailing winds to bring this nasty stuff right over Portland.

I already have lung disease and have a daughter with asthma. We don’t need more breathing problems.

What would the smell do to property values? What about the possibility of water pollution and the waste of so much water for distilling? Is it really worth it? How long will we actually use ethanol until another gimmick or quick-fix to our energy problem comes along to take the place of this plant? What will we do with the empty facility then? Will we need the federal government to come in and clean up afterwards?

I am not against progress or jobs for my community. I just believe that the political powers that be in this county should proceed very cautiously and research, research, research before approving this ethanol plant.

I suggest you start by warming up your computers and going to www.c4aqe.org.

Lew McKibben

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