Based on UCSUSA.org studies - composed primarily of scientists from M.I.T, a typical 500-megawatt coal-fired power plant draws 2.2 billion gallons of water each year from nearby water bodies. We calculated: FPL's (2)650 megawatt coal powered plant will draw 15.671 million gal/day. They will need huge cooling towers to cool this water before discharging into the surrounding areas. The contaminants, the scrubbing facilities, and how are they going to store the pulverized coal without leaching into neighboring waterbodies, fields, etc. during rainy season? How are they going to prevent the powdered coal dust from the storage from getting into the air and contaminate the neighboring areas?

Ms. Rachel Scott called me this mid morning and said she will be sending a flyer and wanted to send one to me via email.

Both me and Craig asked her if she can send us the details of their plant, what pollution device are they going to use, the coal storage facility -where they're going to stockpile the coal, transportation they're going to use move the coal to their plant, water usage, etc. She said they don't have any plans yet made. I told her "FPL is planning to apply for PLZ permit already this coming April and they don't have any plans made yet!" It was a puzzle to me as they had meetings already with the commissioners about this. How can they possibly apply for a permit when they don't even have the plans, nor drawings, etc. yet!! Aren't you wondering!

I asked her also that there are more than a dozen residents at Bluefield Road and she said they will have a separate meetings for Germany Canal and Bluefield, and one for Carlton and Glades Cutoff Rd residents.

Why not have a meeting with all the residents from Glades Cutoff Road, Carlton, Germany and Bluefield road. Is this a divide and conquer strategy?

I asked her we really need the plans, etc. so we can review it before we have the meeting and it is easier for FPL to give all the answers at the meeting rather than them getting bombarded with calls everday after the meeting.

People do not want hidden agenda and do not like secrets!

Edited by author 02-18-2005 09:19 AM
Mr. Manuel Arisso of Public Service Commission called me this morning about the email I sent him.

Question: I asked him why PSC is discouraging FPL to use of natural gas to avoid price increase.

His response: That is not what PSC told FPL. According to PSC, they asked FPL to diversify the source of energy. As of today, 20% comes from oil, 10 to 16% from nuclear. By the year 2013 to 2017 use of natural gas will be 50% or over.

Question: If FPL insisted on Natural Gas, will PSC allow FPL to do it?

His Response: Possibility and chances is YES.

I told him, there are people living there with children, livestock, fruit trees and vegetables that will be affected. He just told me to keep in touch by email as he has to do other things.

My comment:
As what I have stated before, right from the start, we cannot avoid the price increase or prevent the increase in the cost of living and other resources. The only way to stop the increase in prices and the cost is to decrease the demand! Obviously we cannot stop living, so we have to live and accept the consequences of increase in population.

Dear Readers,
Here we are again, starting a new struggle after a 10-month long, arduous fight against the Dickerson Florida Proposed Mine right at Carlton Road.

Now, the residents and nearby areas up to 30 miles of the proposed site called "Blue Field" are and will be facing another heart-wrenching struggle against FPL's proposed Coal-Operated Mine four miles away from Carlton Road!

Why is everybody picking on us? Why should we suffer and sacrifice our health, water supply, environment, quiet way of life and our children’s life for the sake of FPL's future Electric users. Why Is Public Service Commission doing the same – sacrifice us – and use coal instead of natural gas for the sake of cheaper price for future electric users? Didn’t we suffer enough torment from Dickerson Florida?

Should we be subjected to more sleepless nights, worrying about black lung disease, mercury contamination, asthma, acid rain, and more? Tampa, FL and other coal-operated plants up north are the living proof of its hazards!

I would like to say, enough is enough, let us have peace for once!