Augusta, GA -- Mary Jacobson, opposed to plant: "The arsenic and the mercury that is coming out of there, will go into our rivers, will be polluting our fish, which will be polluting our citizens."
A plea made to stop the building of Plant Washington, in Sandersville, Georgia, which would be a coal-fired energy plant. Opponents say it would also produce harmful by-products, like mercury, which they say has the potential of reaching Augusta.
Tonya Bonitatibus, Executive Director, Savannah Riverkeepers: "One of the biggest things that you'll see with mercury poisoning, is learning disabilities."
Tueday evening, Savannah Riverkeeper, Tonya Bonitatibus led a public hearing to give folks a voice on the proposed plant.
Person opposed to plant: "We should be looking at it as how much carbon is going to be produced, how many other pollutants are going to be produced, and we should have a zero tolerance for these things."
Some made the trip from Sandersville to tell environmentalists why the plant is needed.
Sandersville resident who wants the plant: "I'm for this plant for many reasons, starting with the 130 full time jobs that will be employed at the plant, along with 130...will be 260 indirect jobs."
Projected to take 7 years to build, officials for the plant are only in the permit applying stage. But, for folks like Bruce Earnest, he says jobs are more important, right now, and hypocrisy is slowing down progress.
Bruce Earnest, wants plant: "How many of you have your wives hang your clothes out on clothes lines instead of using a dryer? Let's be efficient, we can help one another."
October 20th, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division will hold a public comment session in Sandersville. They'll then take the transcripts from all of the hearings and decide on whether or not the plant really is a good idea. Other hearings were also held Tuesday evening in Atlanta and Macon.
To voice your opinion in our web poll concerning the health implications of the proposed plant, click here.
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