Sept 5 2018-Action Alert

Tell Denton Town Council: No Tax Breaks For Polluters 

The town of Denton Maryland is negotiating a PILOT agreement with Spectra Energy (based in NC) who want to build a power plant inside city limits. This is the plant that will connect to the proposed 190 mile fracked gas pipeline, dubbed the Eastern Shore Pipeline or the Delmarva Pipeline. PILOT stands for Payment In Lieu Of Taxes. Basically it's a big 'ole tax break for a private profiting corporation. 

We've heard from reputable agencies that there is ample electricity being produced in the DMV area and another power plant, especially a fracked gas one, is not needed. And we've learned from other communities who have had power plants forced into their areas that jobs are limited at best. Construction jobs are usually given to out of towners who travel to build gas infrastructure for a living (read more about that and "man camps" here) and the permanent jobs will be highly specialized and unlikely to go to residents of Denton. They might not even go to residents of the Eastern Shore since people are often transferred to new places to take on these jobs. 

We do not think the town of Denton should be giving a tax break to polluters or to any company or industry who's operation threatens the quality of the air and water that residents rely on for life. No private company should have the right to jeopardize everyone else's safety and quality of life. And they certainly should not be getting a tax break to do it!

That is why we are asking you to contact members of the town council and the mayor and tell them:

"No tax break for polluters! No tax break for a phony promise of jobs! No Tax break for an outdated and destructive industry!"  (You can use this as the subject line if you'd like.)

Contact the council members and the mayor  of Denton here:

Mayor Abigail W. McNinch  
amcninch@dentonmaryland.com

Council Person Lester L. Branson
LBranson@dentonmaryland.com

Council Person Dallas Lister
DLister@dentonmaryland.com

Council Person Walter Keith Johnson
KJohnson@dentonmaryland.com

Council Person Doncella Wilson
DWilson@dentonmaryland.com 

And use this script or one similar:

"Dear Denton Policy Maker
I am writing to tell you that the people of Denton and MD's Eastern Shore do not want a tax break given to Spectra Energy, or any other fossil fuel energy company that wants to build inside the city limits of Denton (or any annexed areas). 

Fossil fuel energy is a dying industry; it's dangerous and polluting. Since 2010, more pipelines have exploded and leaked than in the several decades before. In June, a fracked gas pipeline that went into commission in January exploded in West Virginia. And there have been many more explosions resulting in millions of dollars in damage and deaths. When pipelines and power plants are built, jobs are outsources to traveling construction workers who bring with them increased drug use, prostitution and DUI's. A brand new power plant in PA has been caught leaking toxic gases above legal limits 6 times since May. And pipelines like the one associated with the proposed Denton power plant are known to bring heavy, polluting industry to rural areas. 

Denton does not need a power plant. There is already ample power being produced for the DMV area, according to PJM Interconnection. The potential for long term damage and deaths far outweigh any lump sum or annual payment negotiated in a PILOT agreement. 

Make the right decision for Denton and the future. Do not sell out the people of Denton for a one time/annual pay off. Our children and our children's children expect more from you.

Sincerely,
{Your Name} 

If you can, please send this individually to each email address above. And BCC us at info@noeasternshorepipeline.org. 

If you can't send separately, feel free to CC each email address. 

If you get a reply, do not feel the need to respond, but please send it to us to evaluate. 

And last, if the links do not transfer correctly, don't worry about it. 

Thank you for your continued support!! Together we can stop this destructive pipeline for profit!