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Let's keep our resources here

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  • By the Advocate Editorial Board
  • Originally published April 19, 2010 at 5:15 p.m., updated April 19, 2010 at 5:25 p.m.

Plain and simple: If we don't allow Exelon accessibility to 75,000-acre feet of water, somebody else will take it because of the H2O's marketability. That somebody else will likely be some large municipality.

These are not new water rights, according to Jerry James, director of Victoria's environmental services and alternate member of the Region L's board. James said the water rights were permitted in the late 1940s to the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority and to the Dow Chemical Co. And that makes those "senior" water rights. In other words, GBRA and DOW have first dibs on that water.

GBRA and DOW are merely leasing those rights to Exelon should the nuclear power company build here in Victoria County.

"The termination date of the reservation agreement is Dec. 31, 2013," said Bill West, GBRA general manager.

Exelon, should it decide to construct its nuclear power plant in Victoria County, will have a huge impact on our area's economy. The column by Victoria Economic Development Corporation president Dale Fowler on today's Viewpoints page outlines that economic impact. We cannot afford to lose the chance for this power plant in our county.

Concerns that there isn't enough water have come from neighboring Aransas County, groups and organizations and individuals. We think the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority wouldn't promise this amount of water if we didn't have it. And Exelon officials have said if there isn't enough water, they won't build.

"Exelon has done extensive studies to assure itself that the 75,000-acre feet of water out of the Guadalupe River, along with its proposed off-channel reservoir, will provide its project the necessary dependable water supply," West said.

No doubt, if Exelon doesn't exercise its option to use the reserved water, somebody else will.

"GBRA's water rights authorize the water to be used for municipal, industrial and agricultural purposes throughout GBRA's 10-county statutory district," West added.

James speculated that if Exelon did not use the water, "it could go to San Antonio - anywhere it's marketable."

Let's keep our water here. Let's keep it for Exelon, which in turn will provide the biggest boost to our economy in several decades.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.


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Comments

  • rollinstone rollinstone Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Well then, please spare me the b!tching when we have to ration power with rolling blackouts. And come on, Exelon is not going to release anything except very low levels of tritium into the water. These levels are way below the permissible levels set by the NRC, EPA and the TCEQ. And as we speak you are inhaling tritium and radon. And oh yeah watch out its also in the water - RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!

    And remember while you're running try not to breathe too much of that mercury, sulfur and radioactive flyash coming out of Coleto Creek.

    May 12, 2010 at 11:30 a.m.
  • catbirder catbirder Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    I think it's very sad that industry has such precedence over people's quality of life & over the wildlife. Birds, especially, bring many tourist dollars to the entire area.

    May 12, 2010 at 10:25 a.m.
  • WannaBeRancher WannaBeRancher Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Onestar, I agree. Just because the area has the resources does not mean we have to give it away to an industry that will harm the area in the long-term.

    The majority of the folks in the area do NOT want them here.

    April 25, 2010 at 11:19 a.m.
  • onestar onestar Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    I would rather San Antonio get this water than Exelon. At least we would would get some of it back and it would not be contaminated with radioactive wastes.
    Exelon has already said they are going to dump nuclear hazardist wastes into the river.
    Why in hell do we want them here

    April 20, 2010 at 8:58 p.m.