By Bob Belcher
A pubic hearing on the water discharge permit for a proposed power plant in Navarro County brought about 125 people to Dawson Auditorium Monday night.
Navarro Generating is seeking to build a natural gas-fired power plant in the southern part of the county — one of two companies that planned to build here. Pin Oak Power pulled its application in July, announcing it would not build a proposed 1.2 megawatt facility. Navarro Generating is proposing a smaller facility, producing about 600 megawatts of power.
The hearing, conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, allowed both informal and formal comments, and gave those in attendance a chance to question both regulators and the plant’s developers.
Opponents of the proposed facility questioned the safety of the plant’s proposed discharge of about 1.5 million gallons of water daily back into the Richland Chambers Lake, and what the water’s effect on surrounding property owners’ land and families would be.
Carla Steele, a resident near the plant, expressed concerns over the health of both children and animals exposed to the discharge from the plant.
“Who is going to pay the doctor bills for the kids,” she asked of the panel. “That water is going to come to my family.”
“We do not want our land, water, and children’s’ lives affected,” added Vicky Prater.
Charles Morgan, a resident of neighboring Freestone County, called for the permit and plant operators “to be held to the highest standards” in protecting the environment.
Supporters of the plant spoke out in favor of granting the water permit, citing economic benefits to the area and the need for new industry and jobs the plant would bring.
“It’s an important economic project ... we vitally need this,” said Corsicana Mayor C.L. “Buster” Brown III. “Just do your job and we’ll be fine.”
“Neither the city or county (government) oppose this plan,” said Lee McCleary, economic development director for both entities. “We hope you give us a favorable decision.”
Lindsey King, speaking on behalf of the Navarro County Board of Realtors, said the organization supported “complete approval ... we see a definite need.”
Formal comments submitted to the TCEQ will now be addressed by TCEQ staff, and the permit application could be subject to a hearing before an administrative law judge.
The air quality permit for Navarro Generating is still going through the regulatory process.
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