A Call For Action in Connecticut
Seven of Connecticut’s streams are currently under serious environmental threat due to the proposal of a massive power plant that will not even save the states citizens much money on their power bills. Four of these streams contain populations of wild trout and one of them contains the largest population of wintering-over striped bass in the entire Northeast.
The proposed plant would be built in Oxford, right near the headwaters of the Little River and very close to where the Oxford Airport is located. The Little River is right on the fringes of over-development as it is and is not being properly cared for by its surrounding towns. The stress to its headwaters could potentially kill off the remaining population of wild trout. The plant would draw more than 1 million gallons of water from the Pomperaug River annually. The Pomperaug River is formed by the Weekeepeemee River, the Nonewaug River and Sprain Brook which combine to create the Pomperaug in Woodbury. Presently, the river system practically runs dry during the harsh summer months as water is drawn from its sources by the surrounding municipalities and golf courses. The Pomperaug River is also presently classified by the state as a Trophy Trout Stream.
There is already way too much stress on this fragile eco-system.
The water drawn would be used to cool the turbines at the plant. The grey water or waste water from the plant will then be both piped and trucked to the Naugatuck Waste Water Treatment Plant and will then be released into the Naugatuck River. There is no sufficient data on whether or not the treatment plant can remove the heavy metals and ammonia from the contaminated water. The Naugatuck River was once one of the most polluted rivers in the United States and has received tens of millions of dollars in restoration work along its entire length. The most recent being a 6.5 million dollar fish bypass on the Tingue Dam in Seymour which was recently completed in the Fall of 2014. The Naugatuck River feeds into the lower estuary of the Housatonic River where the striped bass are found. The hot water from the plant will adversely affect the health of the recovering Naugatuck and lower Housatonic which were both previously heavily polluted but are now seeing healthy fish populations in recent years for the first time in centuries.
The average savings for a Connecticut resident within a 10 mile radius of this plant will be approximately $35.00 annually according to a recent submission by Competitive Power Ventures to the Connecticut Siting Council. The state currently has a surplus of power. Most of the energy generated by the proposed plant will be sold off to Rhode Island and Massachusetts so, is it worth sacrificing Connecticut’s natural resources for little savings to its residents? Of course, there is the employment argument as well but most of the jobs created by this project will disappear as soon as construction is completed as the power plant itself will not employ many long term positions.
Rather than taking a giant step backwards, the state of Connecticut needs to put forth effective legislation to better protect its vast natural resources from irresponsible abuse which is what is proposed here. People have short memories as it was only 40 years ago that the Naugatuck would run different colors and occasionally catch fire due to pollution. Even enduring the best of conditions, this plant would adversely affect the seven streams mentioned as well as Long Island Sound but let’s consider that there has been nothing created by man since the dawn of time that will not break or fail. How much damage will be done to the Naugatuck River, the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound when something does fail? The lower Naugatuck already suffered a devastating blow to its recovery in December of 2013 when more than 150,000 gallons of raw sewage poured into the lower river in Seymour due to a system failure. When is enough, enough? Write letters now before history repeats itself again.
To voice your opinion in opposition of the proposed Towantic Power Plant in Oxford write to; The Connecticut Siting Council 10 Franklin Square New Britain Ct. 06051 or e-mail them at siting.council@ct.gov The Chairmen’s name is Mr. Robert Stein. There is also an online petition that can be found at www.stoptowanticpower.com.
Stop this plant from harming our towns & rivers