Here's something you never considered. Is cleaner air costing Sussex County farmers money?
Sussex County Councilman Sam Wilson, a Georgetown-area farmer, is convinced it is. Wilson says regulations restricting the release of chemicals – specifically sulfur – from industries and coal-fired power plants are forcing Sussex farmers to buy sulfur at the rate of 20 pounds per acre. “There's not enough sulfur in the soil, and it's crucial to growing plants,” he said.
Sulfur costs about $1 a pound.
Wilson called government regulations the rope that allows us to hang ourselves.
His comments were made during a discussion of transportation planning at the March 31 council meeting. Leave it to Councilman Wilson to link sulfur in the soil and transportation planning.
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Ron MacArthur has lived and worked in Sussex County all his life. As a journalist for nearly 50 years, he has covered everything from county and town meetings to presidential visits. He also has a unique perspective having served as an elected official and lived on both sides of the county.
Contact Ron at ronm@capegazette.com
