Controversy Heats Up Over Proposed Rockport Syngas Plant
By: Kayla Moody
Updated: February 6, 2013
This week, the ongoing tension between Rockport and Vectren took center stage. Monday night the city unanimously motioned to file a petition with Indiana regulators against Vectren. Hours later, Vectren and 10 other Indiana utility companies fired back -- forming a new coalition with the goal of getting consumers to lobby against the state's 30-year agreement with Indiana Gasification.
[Learn more about the ACT NOW Coalition by clicking the document attached to this article.]
Now residents are sounding off their thoughts on the proposed plant. "I think it's a good idea for it to come here because it would mean more jobs for people," says Rockport resident David Phelps.
Other residents, aren't so sure. Patrick Cravens says it frustrates him to see plants move into Rockport and bring their entire workforce with them. "Our little town needs the boost, it needs all this stuff but give us the jobs that go with it," says Patrick Cravens. "They want all these businesses here to try to boost our economy, but it's not boosting our economy if you got all these people coming down here and not giving us the jobs."
Cravens says many of his neighbors are forced to drive lengthy commutes to out-of-town jobs. Other residents tell Eyewitness News the issue is so large, with so many facets, it's difficult to make an informed opinion until they do more research.
Having trouble understanding the complexities of this robust issue? Click here to watch a special report by reporter Kayla Moody.


