June 26, 2003
Dear Mayor Cieslewicz,

The Regent Neighborhood Board met Wednesday June 25th and discussed the city's MOU regarding the proposed co-generational power plant.We are aware that the city council will vote on this on July 1st and are concerned that the MOU doesn't reflect the sentiment of the neighborhood.

We have strongly expressed our opposition to the large 150 megawatt plant since this process began. On June 2nd, 2003, we signed a MOU with the University, Department of Administration, MG&E and the neighborhood. This agreement is in effect regardless of the size of the plant.

During the RNA MOU process, we stated that we would attempt to seek additional controls on noise and emissions through the DNR/PSC process. We therefore ask you to make the following amendment(addendum) to the City's MOU, per board resolution:

1. Noise measurements taken in the middle of the night show that noise or vibrations from WCCF as currently designed could be audible to nearby residents, and that stronger mitigation, consistent with standards in other places, could reduce this disturbance. Therefore this MOU does not imply an endorsement of the current noise mitigation design.
2. Alternative NOx mitigation measures are available that could potentially alleviate particulate emissions from WCCF, as well as remove the risks of on-site ammonia storage and consumption. Therefore this MOU does not imply an endorsement of SCR, the currently proposed NOx emissions control technology.

Thank you for your attention to our request, occurring as it does, in a very expedited MOU process. Please let me know if you need further information.

Sincerely,
Joy Drummond, President, Regent Neighborhood Association

Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 15:32:38
From: Mayor
Subject: Re: City of Madison MOU- co-gen plant

Thank you for your continued interest in the proposed co-gen facility. It is important for neighborhood groups to make their voices heard on issues of importance to the community.

Although the City's role in the PSC approval process is limited and my time in office has been short, my goal has been to minimize impacts to the neighborhood and community from this facility. I believe that our proposed agreement with MG&E advances those goals. This does not mean that the project will now be free of impact nor does it mean that we have endorsed this particular project. What it does mean is that we have negotiated in good faith with MG&E to address several potential local impact issues and have established a foundation for long term cooperation on environmental issues. We have also done so in a way that respects and does not override the agreements the Regent Street Neighborhood Association and local environmental groups have reached with MG&E. As a result, I am not inclined to modify the City's agreement with MG&E.

Nevertheless, let me briefly address your two specific concerns. On noise, our agreement provides substantially lower noise limits than the City's current noise ordinance and provides a mechanism for enforcement if specific noise limits are exceeded. I believe those terms provide additional protections for the neighborhood. The RNA agreement provides a separate process if there are perceptible noise increases which are viewed as problematic.

As to the appropriate control technology to meet state and federal air standards for nitrogen oxides, that is a matter within the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Our agreement provides for an additional air monitor for particulates (PM10), other air pollution mitigation measures and a framework for long term air quality planning with MG&E. These provisions are intended to be complementary to the protections provided through the DNR permitting process and the agreements local environmental groups have negotiated with MG&E on air issues.

While there is always more that could be done, I would hope that you and others in the neighborhood would recognize that this agreement is a positive step forward in addressing local concerns and working on long term air quality issues. Thank you again for your continued interest.

Dave Cieslewicz
Mayor