Debate over power plants turns nasty in Glynn County

STERLING - A dispute between environmentalists and an Atlanta power company has turned nasty in this coastal town after the local government granted permission to build a 600-megawatt power plant. <br> <br> Last month, Glynn County officials gave permission for a new $300 million natural gas-powered plant in Sterling, about 10 miles north of Brunswick. The plant, to be operated by Atlanta-based Mirant Corp. and Live Oaks Power Co., will take up 90 acres and start operating in 2005. <br> <br> Environmental groups cried foul, saying the power plant will use more water than the area can safely provide and could release pesticides into the air through steam. <br> <br> That&#39;s about as civil as the debate got. Local officials have accused the environmentalists of slandering the companies, and one planning officer publicly blamed them for contributing to California&#39;s power crisis. <br> <br> Planning commission chairman Wayne Stewart said environmentalists are waging a war against his board and said it was attitudes like theirs that caused rolling blackouts in California. <br> <br> ``I said some of the groups represented there certainly had some input into the situation out in California,&#39;&#39; Stewart told The Brunswick News. <br> <br> David Kyler, director of the Center for a Sustainable Coast on St. Simons Island, said the comparison was ridiculous and that concerns about the Mirant plant are well founded. <br> <br> ``To me the correlation between us and California is negligible because we have an energy surplus. They did not,&#39;&#39; said Kyler. <br> <br> Altamaha Riverkeeper James Holland also was angered. <br> <br> ``I&#39;m a resident of Glynn County and have been for 37 years,&#39;&#39; Holland said. ``I certainly ... had nothing to do with any blackouts in California.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Environmental groups have pointed out that the planning commission recently denied a permit for a strip mining operation in part because it would&#39;ve required too much water. The groups called on the planning board to reconsider denying the power plant permit for the same reason. <br> <br> As the debate has simmered in Glynn County in recent weeks, the company has tried to step in and assure residents the power plant will be both clean and a boost for the local economy. <br> <br> Burt Wallace, spokesman for Live Oaks Power Co., said the project will meet all federal and state requirements, including air quality checks and wetlands restoration. <br> <br> ``Our plant&#39;s going to be a good power plant. Environmentally it&#39;s going to be the best,&#39;&#39; he said. <br> <br> Wallace added, ``Quite frankly, once it&#39;s up and running, I don&#39;t think anybody&#39;s going to know it&#39;s there.&#39;&#39;