Coastal Observer: Opinion: Flaws In Biomass Plan

https://limewire.com/d/oegue#9HoWE5vKz2 To the Editor:

With the closure of the International Paper mill, Georgetown has a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine its future, not just economically, but socially, morally and environmentally. While the potential to convert part of the mill into a biomass power plant and data center may promise some jobs, the consequences of taking this path – particularly when other, more safe and responsible alternatives exist will perpetuate polluting heavy industrial activities, which in turn will impact human and environmental health for generations to come.

And that’s without accounting for the fact that the plant would generate power for a data center, which will suck up vast amounts of water, yet provide scant long-term, high-paying jobs. Or without considering Sen. Goldfinch’s suggestion that environmental cleanup would be cost-prohibitive for any prospective purchaser.

The result is little to no protections for the West End community which has been saddled with decades of smokestack emissions and nearby toxic landfills and lagoons. Unsurprisingly, the nearby residents have faced elevated health risks, including increased rates of cancer, respiratory illness- es and asthma, as well as chronic noise and dust exposure.

We are deeply concerned that discussions surrounding a biomass plant and data center proposal are moving forward with no plan to remediate the site’s extensive contamination, but instead to increase that pollution. No community should be asked to accept another polluting facility while still living with the toxic legacy of the last one. The fact that the site is al- ready so polluted has been our legislator/lawyer’s justification for continuing and expanding similar environmentally degrading uses. That claim overlooks federal law – the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CER- CLA) – which holds IP accountable for pollution on the site, even after it is sold, because CERCLA deems IP a “potentially responsible party.”

We understand the importance of job creation. And we also understand that permanent, good- paying jobs in cleaner industries are viable for the IP site. Well-established businesses exist that secure financing to clean up polluted industrial sites, reimagine those sites to include light industrial uses, such as assembly, technology and other skilled labor, which will provide high-paying jobs that are not only good for our economy, but also for the health, safety and welfare of residents living in our county seat.

We urge IP, decision-makers and the public to pause and ask: Do we want better for ourselves and our communities? What is the legacy we want for Georgetown? Are we will- ing to take this opportunity to reimagine and re- envision Georgetown as an economically viable, socially just and environ- mentally safe place for all?

At the S.C. Environmental Law Project, we stand in solidarity with Georgetown United and the many residents who are organizing and demanding transparency, cleanup and justice. We’re here as a legal resource, to ensure that residents have the tools, information and opportunities they need to meaningfully participate in decisions that will affect their health, environment and future.

Amy Armstrong Pawleys Island The writer is executive director of the S.C. Envi-

ronmental Law Project.