I submit this letter to the editor seeking an important Sussex County Council yes vote on granting US Wind a conditional-use permit to build adjacent to the existing coal power plant. Since public hearings are closed, I share my written opinion here.
Council will soon vote on this forward-thinking proposal that promises significant benefits for Sussex County. I am writing to help explain why this proposal makes smart economic sense for our county community.
Foremost, this is the appropriate location for a substation. The proposed site is zoned for heavy industrial use, sits adjacent to an existing substation. It is in close proximity to the coal plant. Importantly, there are no residential areas nearby, minimizing any potential impact on our communities. Quite simply, this is the best and most logical site for such a facility in Sussex County.
It appears the planning & zoning commission has already unanimously recommended approval of the conditional-use permit, affirming that there is no legal basis for denial. Failing to approve this conditional-use permit could set a harmful precedent. New infrastructure is now essential to meet population needs. If substations like this one are denied, we risk compromising our ability to deliver reliable energy to our residents and businesses.
This substation will benefit Sussex County significantly. US Wind has committed to invest $200 million to strengthen the local grid. They will bear the entire cost. Our community will receive a more dependable power grid without any financial burden on the county.
This project will also support local jobs, particularly for IBEW electrical workers who currently have to travel out of state for employment. By building out our local grid, we are not just meeting energy needs but also creating stable area jobs.
Additionally, I submit this substation should decrease electricity prices in Sussex County. By injecting additional energy directly into the PJM grid and the local Delmarva Power & Light substation, supply will exceed demand, driving down capacity and energy prices. The highly respected PA Consulting Group report contends Delaware has projected these savings to be $253 million over 20 years for Delaware ratepayers – a transformative financial benefit. While pro-petroleum lobby groups spread alleged subjective misinformation, these numbers and models appear to hold up.
Finally, Sussex County imports much of its energy through a single transmission corridor along Route 1, which incurs significant congestion fees. US Wind’s investment will open new transmission corridors, reducing congestion tolls and providing even greater savings for our community.
In short, this proposal is a smart investment in our infrastructure, our workforce and our future. It strengthens the energy grid, saves money for ratepayers and creates local jobs – all at no cost to Sussex County. I urge you to suggest county council approves this conditional-use permit. Yes, allow this project to move forward for the benefit of the community.
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