We would like to take a moment and thank the residents of Jessup, like Ginger, Matt, and Hillary, and the greater Lackawanna River valley, like the authors of these letters to the Scranton Times Tribune, who have shown their support for the Lackawanna Energy Center.
Tuesday evening, July 14th, at 6:30 PM at the Valley View High School in Archibald, the Jessup Borough Council will be holding a hearing on the Lackawanna Energy Center. Local residents will have the opportunity to make their voices heard, and let the Council know why they support the facility.
Below are five key facts that residents, like those mentioned above, have cited when explaining their support for the Lackawanna Energy Center:
1) “Those things are pretty damn clean” – Natural gas plants, like the Lackawanna Energy Center, produce far fewer emissions than coal plants while generating affordable, reliable energy. Bringing this facility online will help to improve Pennsylvania’s air while easing the integration of renewables.
2) Economic Opportunity – Construction of the Lackawanna Energy Center will create 600-800 jobs for 2+ years. Once operational, the facility will provide wages and benefits to support 30 families in the community and over $50 million in tax revenue, which can go towards schools, first responders, and property tax relief. That’s why the Scranton Chamber of Commerce has endorsed this project.
3) An Ideal Location – The preferred location for the Lackawanna Energy Center will be on the opposite side of the Casey Highway, far from homes and businesses in Jessup, three times as far from the nearest residence as the average facility, and much further than anything located in the M2 zones.
4) Safe and Clean – Before Invenergy can commence construction, they will need approval from a wide variety of regulators and officials, including the Jessup Borough, Lackawanna County, the SRBC, the Pennsylvania DEP, and the US EPA. These same agencies and organizations will oversee the plant once in operation, ensuring it adheres to rigorous health and environmental standards.
5) An Opportunity for Growth – Development of the Lackawanna Energy Center can catalyze growth and development in Jessup. It will tell other companies that Jessup is “Open for Business.” As John Callahan, former Mayor of Bethlehem, recently noted, when a similar plant came to that community, residents were worried it would lower property values. In fact, it has raised them.
We appreciate all of the support that the Lackawanna Energy Center has received. To learn more and show your support, click below and consider joining us at Valley View High School Tuesday evening. Thank you!
