Feb 4, 2017 2 min read

I’ll spare the science that explains the dangers of air and water pollution from a cracker plant, as this is common knowledge being ignored by those deciding to place a cracker plant in Beaver County and who stand to monetarily benefit from it – corporate CEOs and their political and corporate cronies who could not care less for the health of their own grandchildren. Not all decisions should be made simply because it satisfies the ultimate goal of capitalism.

There is a way communities could provide jobs for residents as well as a safe, healthy, and beautiful environmental future for all our grandchildren. Should officials seek out and work with solar and wind generation companies to construct a factory instead of a cracker plant, the local population would not have to suffer from poisoned air and water and a poisoned way of life.

An alternative energy plant would generate jobs in construction, manufacturing, installation and maintenance, so long as the sun shines and the wind blows. All our children, grandchildren, and those yet to be born will benefit forever. And decision-makers who go this route, and those who work in the renewable energy sector, can rest assured that they are not contributing to destroying the future.

Fossil-fuel energy corporations only care about how much money they can amass. Period.

Ron Teska

Belleville, W.Va.