To the Readers' Forum:
During the 12 years I have been a business representative for Carpenters LU 66, I have never seen a project as worthy of the support of our elected officials as the Jamestown Oxy Coal CFB Power Plant Project. This project will create significant economic growth in Western New York well beyond the approximate 330 temporary construction jobs; the retention of the 33 full time jobs at the power plant and the six additional full time jobs that will be created.
The end result of this project is that thousands of jobs will be created in Western New York, providing financial stability for the workers (and their families) that will fill these jobs. Couple the job creation with the knowledge that WNY could be proud to lay claim to be first at something (other than employment percentages and high taxes) by successfully demonstrating the carbon dioxide sequestration technology that can be used globally to benefit mankind.
It is my hope to see the renewal of sustainable economic growth in Upstate and Western New York resulting in financial stability for the business and hard working citizens of the area. This project will go a long way towards making these hopes a reality.
I urge all of the Western New York elected officials to lend their whole-hearted support to this worthwhile and much needed Jamestown Power Plant project.
Jeffrey S. Aiken
Council Representative