To the Journal editor:

I applaud the intelligence and courage of the Sands Township Board in rejecting Bison Oil’s proposal to build an oil refinery and electric power generating plant on the Sands plains in Marquette County. To those who feel “we need more information,” no, its clear on the face of it that this is a bad idea. It’s totally going in the wrong direction with a business idea stuck in the 1900s and not projecting into the future.

First, we have an overcapacity of electric power generation for our needs here in Marquette County (Presque Isle, Marquette Board of Light and Power) and we are now moving at a steady pace to a distributed, on site model of power generation using alternative energy options, making the need for centralized big plants less and less.

Second, the debate in the scientific community about wether our use of fossil fuels is poisoning our planet and causing major climate change is over. Our continued use of them is creating a unimaginably expensive mess.

It’s only the deniers (those that don’t believe in science) and persons who reject progress and positive change because they are financially addicted to the last century’s concept of energy production who are asking the rest of us to enable their delusion. The people and political leaders of the U.P. should reject this type of backward facing business plan that is being proposed by Bison.

Ms. Kulju, the last time I remember you surfacing was the “Let’s have drones over the U.P.” business idea that you were supporting. I realize that you are probably a nice person and are well intended, but can’t you and your organization find some business development that is actually forward looking, easy on Mother Earth, and without a big brother component?

If so, bring it on and you will find more support. You seem to bring us only the dregs of the development ideas. We are not so desperate and gullible for the shinny, borrowed, junk bond generated money as you might think. What’s guaranteed, a huge grass roots opposition here against the oil refinery.

For now you can walk the Bison back to Texas or North Dakota, or where ever it came from. And in case you are thinking of a slaughterhouse instead, no we don’t want that either.

Scott Emerson

Chocolay Township