Raymond P., CT

I have read your State of the Air update, which inspired me to write.

I turned 86 this past March. I have been a resident of the Town of Middlebury, Connecticut, since 1964. I have been an involved and responsible resident, serving on various boards and commissions through the years. I gained considerable knowledge about pollution—both water and air—through those appointments, as well as through my vocation as a commercial-industrial heating and electrical contractor licensed in the state of Connecticut. My business specialty involves combustion applications of fuel oil, natural gas and propane fuels.

About a year ago, I became an opponent of the siting of two major distribution centers within our small town. These centers only succeed by causing the onslaught of diesel-powered trailer trucks operating 24/7, loading and unloading goods. Why do I oppose these centers?

1. My main concern is that tailpipe emissions will definitely affect air quality in the area of the centers. The following existing major air pollution sources are already located within the EPA Environmental Justice 3-mile radius of the proposed sites:

• The CPV Towantic electric power generating plant (805 MW), burning natural gas with diesel backup

• Interstate 84

• Algonquin natural gas compressor station

• Waterbury-Oxford Airport

Also within the same 3-mile radius are:

• Long Meadow Elementary School (immediately adjacent to the center facility)

• Pomperaug High School

• Memorial Elementary School

• Middlebury Elementary School

• Pre-schoolers Learning

• Benson Woods Active Adult Community

• Ledgewood Memorial Park

• Quassy Amusement and Water Park

• Meadowview Park

The applicant for the centers did not submit or conduct any site-specific study or modeling on air quality. Their two-page letter on air quality references degradation from out-of-state transient contributors but fails to even mention the very real, local pollution sources already affecting the area. At a minimum, in my view, EPA modeling must be performed—not only to determine current impacts but also to project cumulative impacts should these distribution facilities be built.

2. Neither of the centers will have direct access to interstate highways. Trucks must use local roads not designed for heavy hauling, which means constant engine-braking, idling and inefficient operation.

3. Noise pollution will also be a significant factor, particularly due to the proximity of schools.

In my view, air quality has been seriously overlooked by our local commissions. Since the pollutant sources include both stationary and mobile types, the federal EPA must act to ensure that proper studies and assessments of air pollution impacts are conducted. We must be reasonably assured our children are kept safe.