Anger, concerns over coal ash dump boils over

Local people’s anger over the Sevier County Planning Commission’s recent approval of a hazardous waste dump near Koosharem in a water collection area for Salina’s culinary water is boiling over in alarm after news reports of a massive toxic waste spill of a coal-fired power plant’s ash waste ponds in Tennessee.

The enormous spill has raised an uproar over lax government standards at state and national levels, which has locals concerned since Planning Commission chair John Worley ushered the dump to approval without any public hearings on the basis that NEVCO/Sevier Power promises of adhering to state standards for such dumps.  NEVCO/Sevier Power wants to build a coal-fired power plant on a floodplain near Sigurd, which would include toxic waste collection ponds.

The Tennessee coal ash spill was of a holding pond of wet ash which broke through a retaining burm after apparently being overfilled, flooding 300 acres of 42 homes and neighboring farm lands up to 9 feet deep in coal ash sludge, before cascading down into a tributary of the Tennessee River.

There are literally thousands of news stories covering the disaster, including these from the first few days.  Wikipedia’s coverage is here.

On January 1, 2009, The Tennessee Valley Authority, which operates the coal-fired power plant and ash dump, disseminated a fact sheet stating that the ash was inert and “not hazardous.”  The TVA originally estimated the spill to be far smaller than it actually was — 360 million gallons — while admitting it was “catastrophic.” They later revised their statements in talking points accidentally released to the press, no longer calling the spill catastrophic, but instead a “sudden, accidental release.”  The power company promised to help contain the spill, but first repaired the rail lines to bring in more coal.  “Massive deaths” of fish in the rivers were subsequently reported.  The spill was the largest in U.S. history; the volume released was about 50 times larger than the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Yet that same day, the Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry laboratories at Appalachian State University announced it had found the area contaminated with a variety of heavy metals including arsenic, copper, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel, and thallium — all of which cause death or illness in relatively small amounts.

Government officials later concluded the spill to actually be over 1 billion gallons of the hazardous waste.

NASA scientists responded, calling on President Obama to acknowledge that coal-fired power plants are “factories of death.”  Newspapers state that “Tennessee coal ash spill highlights broad gaps in government oversight.”  U.S. Senators are now calling for the federal Environmental Protection Agency to begin regulating coal-fired power plant waste.  Bloomberg financial news states that “Coal-Ash Spill May Cost Utilities Billions in [New] Rules.”

The seriousness of the toxic waste spill has undermined recent coal industry efforts to claim they are using “clean coal technology.”  Time magazine stated the spill exposes the “Myth of Clean Coal Power.”  And the New York Times agreed, issuing an editorial: “Collapse of the Clean Coal Myth.”

“If it’s not hazardous, why are they telling us, ‘Don’t walk it in and bring it back in your house?’” one former resident said. “‘We’re going to wash it off the tires of the trucks. Don’t let your animals drink the water.’ If it’s not hazardous, why are they telling us to be careful?”  You may read residents’ views on various web sites, including one grandmother’s personal account on her blog.

Planning Commission member files criminal charges over lawyer “threat”

Despite ordinances and legal agreements to the contrary, a Sevier County Planning Commission member recently failed to recuse themself from a proceeding with an applicant with whom they had recent business dealings, which could pose a conflict of interest.  Specifically, the applicant for a small building project permit had recently sold water shares to a close family member — a purchase which the commission member reportedly opposed.

In the meeting, the commission member brought up inaccurate (some say unlawful) objections against the project, which caused the applicant to spend an additional $5000 to clarify that the project met legal requirements.

When the applicant contacted the commission member privately over the phone to clarify things and work out any possible differences, the commission member became defensive, hung up — and filed a criminal complaint with the Sevier County Sheriff claiming the applicant had threatened them.  Such a report from a government official could have possibly landed the applicant facing months of legal proceedings — and possibly jail time.

In a subsequent meeting, the applicant’s permit was quickly approved — and then another member of the Planning Commission reiterated the charge that the applicant was threatening members of the commission, and demanded a public apology from the citizen.

However, apparently unbeknownst to the commission members, the applicant had taped the phone conversation and had already presented copies of the recording to the Sheriff’s office (recording a conversation one is a party to is permitted under Utah Code 77-23a-4).

A copy of the recording reveals that while the applicant does say that continued obstruction could lead to the need of hiring an attorney to represent them in the matter, no threats appear to be made during the call.

After an investigation by the Sheriff’s department, the claims were apparently dismissed.  Reportedly, the commission member’s response was to try to add additional charges against the applicant — which were believed to have also been dismissed.  It is unclear if the applicant has, or soon will be, filing a lawsuit against the County or the commission members over the matter.

The community’s response to the matter has been strong.  Many are very worried about having to take issues before the commission if this is how they will be treated.  Others are very concerned that our local leaders need to stand up for and find ways to help the local residents they serve, rather than being against them.

Many local folks know of construction projects that have gone forward without government approvals — such as the cell phone tower built a few years ago without Planning Commission approval on a commission member’s own property.  All planning commission members have signed statements stating they will recuse themselves whenever there may be even the appearance of a conflict of interest.  It is in everyone’s best interests for local officials to conduct themselves with the utmost integrity, so that citizens are not left to feel that their best opportunities lie in excluding the government’s rules, standards — and assistance — from their plans.

Local economy remains strong

Despite doom-and-gloom economic reports on the national stage, Richfield sales are actually down a total of…  3%.

That’s right: compared with sales from the same quarter last year, sale tax revenues are only down a little more than 3%.

Even local 2008 real estate sales are said to be on par with those of years past, before the recent boom in sales.

Many local businesses fluctuate more than 3% from season to season within any given year.  So despite what some fear, while local businesses may be facing some constraints, in actuality our area’s economy remains remarkably strong and resistant to the national and global trends.

Sheriff’s Report: Single Vehicle Rollover

INCIDENT: SINGLE VEHICLE ROLLOVER 

LOCATION: SR-89 MP 231  

DATE:1-26-09 

TIME:0311 

DETAILS: A CHEY ASTRO WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON SR-89.  DUE TO INCLIMATE WEATHER THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND WENT OFF THE ROAD TO THE LEFT.  ONCE OFF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED SEVERAL TIMES.  NO ONE WAS INJURED.

DRIVER:JESUS CORNELIO 45 MOAB, UT SEATBELT

PASSENGERS:MAURACIO CORNELIO 16 MOAB, UT SEATBELT

LAURA CORNELIO 41 MOAB, UT SEATBELT

Sheriff’s Report: Single Vehicle Rollover

INCIDENT: SINGLE VEHICLE ROLLOVER 

LOCATION: I-70 MP 7 

DATE:1-25-09 

TIME:0340 

DETAILS: A FORD F-250 WAS TRAVELING WEST ON INTERSTATE 70 NEAR COVE FORT.  THE VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD TO THE LEFT AND OVERTURNED.  NO ONE WAS INJURED.

DRIVER:RITO URBIETA-SORIA 37 LAKE ELSINORE, CA SEATBELT

PASSENGERS:VICTOR LOPEZ 22 RIVERSIDE, CA SEATBELT

MARCOS HARO 27 OCEANSIDE, CA SEATBELT

Richfield zoning enforcement officer expands duties

In a recent Richfield City Council meeting, part-time zoning enforcement officer Charles Billingsley reported he has expanded his duties to a more proactive role, in seeking out potential zoning violations, beyond just responding to citizen complaints.  He showed before-and-after photos of properties showing improvement, and said he was trying to improve safety issues, such as trimming hedges back so that there are clear views at intersections.  Mayor Brad Ramsey thanked him for his efforts, while encouraging Billingsley to increase efforts at public education of zoning laws, along with his growing enforcement duties.

Video of the meeting — which includes a discussion about body piercing establishments in the area — can be viewed now on CentraCom Local10 and will soon be available on www.IdealLivingTV.com.

EPA to restrict coal power, make it more expensive

The EPA announced today it will comply with it’s own organization’s recommendations to review and set rules for coal-fired power plants in terms of how they contribute to global warming and public health risks.

During the Bush Administration, the EPA had previously permitted construction of the coal power plant on an Indian reservation, despite complaints from Navajo and environmental groups.  Experts say the decision will lead to much more stringent rules on air pollution emitted from coal-fired power plants, making such energy more expensive to produce.

“It will likely have an impact on further permitting for other proposed projects in Utah, Nevada, and elsewhere,” agreed Tim Wagner, of Resource Media in Salt Lake.  More on this is available here.

In a move that would also effect plans for a coal-fired power plant in the area — as well as the SUFCO coal mine — President Obama has already pledged to reduce the profitability of coal power by instituting a “cap and trade” system on carbon dioxide emissions.

BYU finds anti-smog rules have added 5 months on the average U.S. resident’s lifespan

In a story covered around the world in thousands of publications, BYU professor C. Arden Pope III, who spoke here in Richfield, together with researchers from Harvard University, have found that clean air restrictions instituted in the 1970s have led to an average citizens lifespan increase of 5 months.  In areas of more stringent rules, average people’s lives were increased an average of 3.5 years.

The full report, “Fine-Particulate Air Pollution and Life Expectancy in the United States,” was published by the highly-esteemed New England Journal of Medicine, which only publishes articles which are first reviewed in-depth — and accepted as completely true and accurate — by many other researchers, in a process called “peer review.”  Although the journal typically makes its articles available only to doctors and medical researchers, due to the study’s importance, they have posted the full report here.

Here are a few news articles chronicling the findings:

• Associated Press: Study: Cleaner air adds 5 months to US life span
• USA Today: Cleaner air may be adding 5 months to your life
• MSNBC: Cleaner air adds 5 months to U.S. life span: Study is first to show tie between less pollution, longer life, researchers say
• Time: Want to Live Longer? Cut the Pollution
• Wired: Cleaner Air Worth Five Months of Life
• Google News’ Archive

Free entertainment, prizes at Community Awareness Training: Jan. 29, 7 p.m.

The Salina & Richfield City Police Departments, along with Neighborhood Watch, is sponsoring its first Annual Community Awareness Training event on Thursday, January 29th 2009 at the Snow College Theatre (Richfield Event Center) from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

There will be entertainment provided by the Utah Old Time Fiddlers, and door prizes will be given out.

No charge, everyone is invited!

Speakers will include:
- Detective Allen Parson & Detective Dwight Jenkins on local Drug Trends
- Sergeant Shaun Robbins on Gang Trends
- Sergeant Tom Jensen & Lieutenant Allen Demille on Identity Theft/ Fraud
- Scott Brady will give a Self Defense Demonstration.

The event is in response to growing crime figures in the local area.  For example, in 2008, Richfield suffered from the following criminal incidents:

201 Traffic Accidents with Damage
164 Thefts
160 Suspicious Persons/Circumstances
146 Juvenile Problems
146 Animal Complaints
129 Animal Problems
113 Criminal Mischief
90 Domestic Disturbances
69 Harassment
63 Gas Thefts
61 Noise Disturbances
57 Traffic Violations
54 Suspicious Vehicles
47 Threats

An orientation meeting was recently held to start up a Neighborhood Watch program throughout Richfield.  Upcoming meetings will help to organize and provide free training for residents on how they can help keep their homes and communities safer.  All residents are encouraged to participate.  To learn more, contact Grace McAllister, the Volunteer Connection coordinator for the program in the Sevier County Administration Building or by calling (435) 893-0737.  You may view video of the first orientation meeting at http://ideallivingtv.com/?p=1153.

New exercise TV series: “Get Fit, Stay Fit!”

Ideal Living and Richfield’s Lifetime Fitness have teamed up to bring you a new television series to help you “Get Fit, Stay Fit!”

The programs, which are led by experienced exercise instructors, walk you through varying half-four exercise routines, which are condensed versions of the fitness classes available atLifetime Fitness.  Eventually, dozens of episodes will be available covering a wide-variety of exercise programs.

You can view the programs on CentraCom cable’s Local10.  For more information, contact Lifetime Fitness Center, located at 80 E 1000 North in Richfield, or call (435) 896-6708.

To get information on signing up for CentraCom Cable, click here.

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