HOPE – Public attitudes toward a proposed coal-fired power plant in Hempstead County have changed little since about 100 people attended its first air permit hearing last July. But public interest certainly has.

More than 550 spectators packed an auditorium and three auxiliary rooms at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope for a second hearing held Thursday night by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

As with the first hearing, nearly two-thirds of those who offered verbal comments spoke against the $ 1. 6 billion facility. Yet those who supported the John W. Turk Jr. power plant planned 15 miles northeast of Texarkana generally received louder applause.

Other divisions were evident as well.

Most proponents are local business leaders and laborers whose struggling economy welcomes a projected $ 887 million infusion from Turk’s construction and $ 4. 5 million in annual payroll from 110 full-time jobs afterward.

Most opponents are from as far away as Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and even Texas cities such as Lufkin and Austin. Many are college students – a generation younger than Turk’s supporters – and view coal-fired electricity as a threat to human and environmental health.

Yet both sides – at times through candid, personal accounts – outlined the long-term stakes at play for everyday Arkansans.

“I’m from Lonoke… where there are no jobs. I understand what it feels like to be stunted,” said Andrew McSwain. “If there were no mercury or CO 2 [carbon dioxide ], maybe it’s not a bad idea…. But it’s a very bad idea. I’m here to say we need to grow up. This is happening because we’re not looking at the future, but the bottom line.” However, a father of six from Mineral Springs described his job with Shaw Group Inc. – the primary contractor to build the 600-megawatt plant – as a financial savior “brought to me through prayer.” ” I heard a lot about this plant… about mercury and why we don’t need it. But where I’m from, there are no jobs. And I desperately need one, ” said George Watson. “They [SWEPCO ] may be trying to get rich. But they’re also trying to provide this country with power, which I think we need.” Thursday’s hearing was required because air quality rules have changed since the July 2007 hearing, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality officials said. Because the federal Clean Air Mercury Rule is no longer in effect, SWEPCO must use Maximum Achieveable Control Technology [MACT ] standards to minimize emissions.

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