Letter to the editor: Stop the abuse of our natural resources

It was disappointing to read the article “DEP gives preliminary nod to $10B Homer City plant, environmental group sounds alarm” (Sept. 15, TribLive). The plant will rely on the fracking industry for its power. That in itself is a broken promise from an industry that said it would reduce our energy bills and create permanent jobs if allowed to frack. Neither of those claims were ever realized in our area.

But we are dealing with all the hazards the fracking industry never bothered to mention. The fact is we pay about as much for our electric energy as residents in states that have no fracking and the negative side effects it brings to residents or the environment.

This power plant is to service the new data center that is also making big promises while it will be draining our natural resources and consuming massive amounts of energy that will, no doubt, give an excuse to again raise consumer rates to offset the stainability of the plant.

A similar data center at Seneca Lake, N.Y., has harmed area residents, a lake and the environment. Its excessive use of natural resources has resulted in residents paying more for utilities. The public funds given as subsidies to the data center are permanently lost, and again the residents are left with the fallout of broken promises.

This cycle of companies getting away with lies to ensure their profit must stop. Government agencies must hold them accountable. Stop giving them approval to abuse natural resources, communities and the people who live there.

Katie Forsythe

North Huntingdon