The developers and consultants for the ERE tire to energy plant held their closed-door meeting with about 50 local leaders from the business and medical communities, and presumably, City Council members, yesterday.   You can read the story from GoErie.com here.

 In a session that lasted 3 hours, many of those in attendance voiced their concerns about the operation of the plant, and  some questioned whether the risk assessment agreed to by ERE would be an independent study if paid for by ERE.  The responce from Greg Rubino and consultant Joseph Peeze, was basically if you don’t like it, go ahead and fund your own review.  This response, in my opinion, gets to the heart of a previous blog in which I asked why people don’t seem to like or trust Rubino’s lack of respect for others’ concerns.

In another exchange, the consultant stated that Erie motorists filling their gas tanks release three times the quantity of Benzene that would be released by the plant.  Taken from my viewpoint, that also says that one tire-to-energy plant will increase this pollutant by THIRTY-THREE percent over it’s present amount!  That is a huge increase.

Where is the rationale for the creation of a major polluter, when looking at the total picture?   Thirty jobs at basically minimum wage?  Millions of dollars profit for the plant owner?   Tax base for the city? (LERTA???)  Increased levels of pollutants for us and all future generations to breath and consume?  Increased congestion on city streets?  The anger of hundreds of residents, homeowners, and taxpayers?  Voters? 

The City of Erie stands to lose a great deal of creditability and respect if this plant is built.  Now, when Erie is just beginning to show signs of life again, with revitalization of the downtown, bayfront, and other neighborhoods around the city, why would anyone even consider adding such a big negative to the positive attitudes that are starting to develop?

The time is now to seriously consider the opinions of the community-business owners, medical professionals, and common folks- the vast majority of whom oppose this plant.

What do you think?