Mayor Responds to Financial, Environmental Concerns Over GenOn's Closing

Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka read the following statement at the March 19 in response to before Congress March 20 regardig GenOn's potential closing. Zilka's statement addresses financial and environmental concerns regarding the plant's closing.

"About 10 days ago I received a call from Todd Johnston, a staff member from the minority party of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clear Air and Nuclear Safety. He stated that he had read in The Morning Journal about the announced 2015 closing of the plant in Avon Lake.

He asked if I would be willing to testify in Washington on March 20 as to how the announced closing would affect the city’s financial situation. 

While I was able to quickly gather the preliminary information on the economic impact on the city and also that of the city’s school system, I felt that a more knowledgeable spokesperson would be (Councilwoman Jennifer) Fenderbosch as she had been our Environmental Committee chair for the past eight years. She suggested Councilman Rob James due to his professional background and current position of chair of the environmental committee. Mr. James has worked as an environmental lawyer for several years and has also worked as an assistant attorney general where he represented the state of Ohio and several agencies, including the Ohio EPA.

Councilman James will report to the committee that the closing of the plant in 2015 will mean the loss of over 80 jobs. That would mean a loss of about $78,000 in income taxes to the city and a loss of $268,000 in property taxes. The revised property tax number of $268,000 is based on a review of the most recent documents available from the county. Lorain County will also share in the loss of property taxes.

Avon Lake City schools will lose at least $2,396,000 and possibly another $1.5 million in tangible personal property taxes. Not only will the loss of revenue directly impact the ability of the schools to provide the high quality of education that it currently offers, many programs offered by the school for students with the greatest needs could be lost. In addition, the will lose $102,000 and the Lorain Count Joint Vocational School will lose almost $90,000.

Over the years anecdotal accounts of very serious childhood and adult illnesses has caused great concern within the community. Sharing that concern, members of the city government requested two different studies over time by the State Health Department. The results of those studies established that the frequency of certain diseases were slightly above the norm but not a significant cluster. These health concerns continue to be a part of our decision-making process.

As the Mercury and Air Toxics (“MATS”) rule and other environmental rules are debated it is imperative that the economic impact on communities such as Avon Lake and other cities be part of the conversation. These issues that we face are vital to the long-term future of our city and the well-being of our residents and economic stability must always be part of the equation."