TRAVERSE CITY -- A local environmental group believes its worst fears were confirmed in a recent letter sent by Traverse City Light & Power to its ratepayers.
Traverse City Commissioner Barbara Budros agrees, contending a prolonged public input process about a proposed Light & Power biomass plant was nothing more than a "charade."
"Why are people showing up to provide input when the input's irrelevant and the decision's already been made?" Budros said.
Light & Power ratepayers recently received a letter regarding a proposed wood-burning biomass plant. The letter states the utility is "convinced" that renewable energy plans other than biomass "would cause significantly higher electric rates which could cause severe financial hardships to Traverse City citizens and businesses."
The Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council believes the letter means Light & Power already decided to implement plans for the plant, a concern some have voiced for months.
"We can't overstate how disappointed NMEAC was to read this letter ... the content and timing of the letter suggest to us that TCL&P; has no intent to listen seriously to the concerns of the community about biomass or to look objectively at the alternatives," a Tuesday letter from NMEAC board Chairman Greg Reisig and Director Ken Smith to Light & Power Director Ed Rice said.
"It feeds directly into the suspicion expressed by many people regarding the sincerity of TCL&P;'s public involvement efforts."
Budros believes NMEAC's take on the letter is accurate.
"I agree with their conclusion; it certainly seems like a decision's already been made," she said. "I don't know why we're going through with this charade."
Rice on Tuesday told a Record-Eagle reporter the letter doesn't mean Light & Power already made up its mind.
"The intent of the letter was to make sure all of our customers are aware of the issues," he said.
Rice said the Light & Power board likely will vote on biomass at its April 20 meeting.
