Wednesday, November 7, 2001

Williams Co. must face S. Fulton security issues

With recent news that Congress may spend up to $5 billion to protect U.S. water systems, nuclear power plants, and other sensitive facilities, the proposed Peters Road power plant should come under new scrutiny.

As one of the largest gas-fired power plants in the U.S., this could become a potential terrorist target. As a precaution, the government should mandate that all such new facilities be built miles from residential areas. God forbid that our energy infrastructure becomes a target for terrorists, but it would make matters worse if the lives of innocent civilians were also jeopardized.

During negotiations with the residents of South Fulton, Williams Power Company made several concessions for esthetic reasons, such as lower lighting to accommodate neighbors. Now such concessions could pose increased security risks.

Power plants can't lower their profile without raising security risks to neighbors. This just underscores the problems of trying to put power plants in residential areas. Building power plants near homes and convalescent centers can no longer be a viable option. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, everything has changed. This includes where we build our energy plants.

Randy Colver

South Fulton (Fairburn)

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