PSC
holds first of three public meetings
•
Public invited to comment on proposed Kentucky
American pipeline
Tensions
ran high Monday night at a meeting held by the Public Service
Commission.
The topic
for discussion was the proposed Kentucky American treatment plant
that would be constructed on the Kentucky River to treat and pump
water to Lexington. The line, which would pump around 20 million
gallons per day – according to PSC Chairman Mark Goss –
would run through Owen County.
Monday
night’s meeting was the first of three that will be held
this week allowing for public comments on the proposed pipeline.
“We
understand (this issue) has generated some controversy,”
Goss said as he began Monday’s meeting.
“We
understand that it’s an emotional issue.”
Goss went
on to outline what would be happening during the meeting, as well
as why it was being held.
By law, it has to be shown that convenience and necessity require
the construction of the project. Kentucky American would not make
a presentation on their plan at the meeting, it was simply to
allow for public comments either for or against the proposed plan.
Each speaker
was allotted three minutes, and those not wishing to speak could
submit comments in writing if they preferred. The summary of the
public’s comments, Goss said, would become part of the case
record.
Goss also
said the PSC was willing to stay as long as they had to, to be
able to hear each comment.
Mayor “Milkweed” Wotier was the first to speak, and
said he was proud to endorse Kentucky American Water and their
plan to construct the treatment plant.
“I
have the greatest respect and admiration for the company,”
Wotier said.
He credited
Kentucky American with helping Owen County get through this summer’s
drought.
Judge/Executive Billy O’Banion also showed his support for
the company, saying he felt the project would best serve the community
and it was “time to make a decision.”
“We’ve
thrived in partnership with Kentucky American Water,” O’Banion
said.
He also
said that with Kentucky American, there were no water restrictions
in the county at present time and said he feels they offer the
best plan.
“It’s
time to act now,” O’Banion said. “This project
is about our quality of life.”
Bob Pinkston
of Frankfort was the first to speak against the proposed Kentucky
American plan. He believed the plan that would bring water from
the Louisville Water Company was better. The Louisville Water
Company’s plan would bring treated Ohio River water to the
area.
“We
can achieve the same result for cheaper,” he said.
Charles
Shimler also spoke against the Kentucky American plan.
“Choose
a better plan,” he said.
Others
spoke of the “waste” that the pipeline would cause,
as well as it’s damage to the environment.
Chris Shimler said, “We live in a culture of waste, and
we’re getting used to it.”
She said
that if there were no other options, this proposal would be worthy
of debate.
“But
that’s not the case,” she said.
A number
of property owners whose land the pipeline would run through came
to speak up. Others who didn’t have land affected, still
spoke in opposition to Kentucky American, saying that Owen County’s
land was beautiful and shouldn’t be disturbed.
Another
possibility is to run pipeline down Interstate 64, which many
said they supported because the land along the Interstate was
already disturbed.
Kathy Gibson
of Stamping Ground said the pipeline won’t meet the region’s
long-term needs, and that a line will be needed to the Ohio River.
She also questioned the plan’s being able to handle a drought.
Beulah Bowman said her house would be demolished if the plan went
through, because the proposed line would run right through her
property.
“I
will have to move,” she said.
Representatives
from Kentucky American were in attendance at Monday’s meeting
to hear what the public had to say. They also offered to answer
questions after the meeting was over.
Valeria
Cummings Swope is the Communications and Corporate Responsibility
Specialist for Kentucky American. She said at this first hearing,
the company was really listening to what those for and opposed
had to say about the plan.
“It’s
a fact-finding mission,” Swope said.
Swope also
said she thinks many believe this is just a solution for Lexington
and Fayette County. She said Kentucky American’s plan will
help the entire region, and provide water for all of central Kentucky.
She said she thinks there is a lot of misinformation in terms
of what people expect the Kentucky American pipeline to be and
the Louisville pipeline to do.
“We
want them to understand we’ve studied this for a number
of years,” she said. “We understand the concerns.
We didn’t come to (this decision) lightly.”
There are
two more meetings held by the PSC on this issue this week. The
next is tonight in Lexington at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School,
beginning at 5 p.m. Tomorrow night, a meeting will be held at
the PSC office in Frankfort. That meeting also begins at 5 p.m.
All of
the PSC’s findings will be presented at an evidentiary hearing
at 10 a.m. on Nov. 26. It will be held at the PSC office in Frankfort.
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