The East Phillips neighborhood is getting something called "Midtown Eco-Energy." Sounds great, right? Let me tell you what it is, and what it means for one of the poorest neighborhoods in Minneapolis.
Midtown Eco-Energy is a subsidiary of Kandiyohi Development Partners, a company that builds green developments and provides alternative energy sources. They want to build a wood burning power plant in East Phillips. East Phillips is all for alternative energy sources, but something about this project is not sitting well with residents.
First, it was all a big secret. There has been no assessment of environmental impact or noise pollution. No one was notified that this was happening. A "public hearing" was held in December, but no information was sent out to residents of East Phillips, or to residents of the four mile radius that would be directly affected by the emissions. There was a cute little flier sent out with a super hero on it, declaring Midtown Eco-Energy the savior of mankind, but there was no information about the hearing.
Second, the incinerator is the same one that was shot down in St. Paul last year. Kandiyohi tried to put a burner in one of the poorest neighborhoods in St.Paul last year. When neighbors sent them packing, they reclassified it as a "boiler," which allows them relaxed emissions standards, and brought it across the river to East Phillips. Now, if this "boiler" is so great, why don't they try to put in the affluent communities? They are counting on the poor neighborhood to have fewer resources and less cultural capital than the affluent neighborhoods. East Phillips residents can't hire a lawyer. We generally have a lower level of education than those in, say, Southwest. We also generally work more hours outside 9-5 and are less likely to be available for public hearings and such. Smart move, Kandiyohi.
East Phillips is a highly residential, high poverty area. The median income for a family of four here is below $20,000. The vast majority of the neighborhood is racial/ethnic minority. We are 40% children. There is already an asphalt plant here, and the neighborhood is an arsenic and lead superfund site from an old pesticide plant a mile upwind.
Alternative energy is great, but before it goes into our neighborhood, we need transparency and a full environmental impact study. We can't afford the consequences, literally or figuratively.
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If the residents are so opposed, why don't they contact their elected officials? If the folks in St. Paul can ban together to oppose the project, I don't think the Minneapolis residents are incapable of the same if they so desire. If not in midtown, where would you suggest the project be put?
We have, and we are. But we JUST found out about it in January. It is very far along in the planning process, and this is the first we've heard of it. They've had supposedly open meetings without alerting the neighbors. That's what is making everyone suspicious.
Where would I put it? Maybe in an industrial area, or a residential area that isn't already polluted to hazardous levels.
My area has gone through the same kind of problem. There is a power plant that is being built close to my house. We petitioned and held rallies. All that was accomplished was we pushed the date back of the building. lol.
There's not much you can do.
+mspin
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/weezyf
You're right, I would hate to have that thing in my backyard! I think the residents should send out a few letters and make a few phone calls to their Representative.