Plans Discussed Over What to Do with Brayton Point
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Community groups gathered in
The Montaup power plant is already shuttered.
To the surprise of many, renewable energy such as wind power was the top choice.
“Somerset – like it or not – has been involved in the energy economy for 80 years. It would be nice to them get a piece of the clean energy economy which is coming,” said David Dionne of the Coalition for Clean Air.
Tourism and developing the waterfront to that end was the second most population choice, from over 400 residents who were surveyed.
“They said they were concerned about their taxes; they said they were concerned about the town; they said the didn’t want any heavy industry of any kind,” said Dionne.
That may be because so many were concerned about the environmental impact of the coal fired power plant.
“It’s the economy of coal that is responsible. Am I sorry to see it go? No, I think the health effects were awful,” said Pauline Rodrigues of the Coalition for Clean Air.
But officials say what’s put in place is critical, because the power plant was a major revenue source for the town budget.
“Major tax increases and significant loss of services will result. Worth repeating – major tax increases,” said Jim Burke from the Somerset Economic Development Committee.
The town Select Board will review, and decide on the recommendations.
Brayton Point is scheduled to close in 2017.
