City Council Weighs Options On Oneida Lawsuit

Residents are worried the new plant would increase pollution in their neighborhoods, but Oneida disagrees and says the energy plant is good business.

About 20 protestors filed into Council chambers Tuesday night, hoping for a decision on the controversial Oneida plant, but were left frustrated and empty handed.

"I have no idea what to think, just by talking to our alderman, they've got a lot of things that need to be discussed, they are working on a timeline, Hopefully that is a good sign," says Robert Heroux.

City Council and Mayor Jim Schmitt met in closed session for just over an hour and a half.

The Council voted to allow the city's legal council to proceed as directed in the session, but didn't divulge any details.

Afterward, the City Attorney and an attorney for Oneida had no comment, but Alderman Mark Steuer said the Council is weighing its options.

"There's a few alternatives that we are looking at, and those were the things we were told not to discuss," said Steuer.

The Council says a decision should come down very soon.

Oneida wants to build a gasification plant in Green Bay, but the Council rescinded a permit allowing them to do so.

Steuer stands by his vote to block it and says other aldermen agree with him.

"I will say that, being one of the ones that rescinded the (permit), if there is a case or trial, I'll have to take the stand," said Steuer.

Not everyone in the crowd was against building the plant.

"There's a part of me that really wants to believe that this whole thing is a misunderstanding," says Taku Ronsman.

Bobbi Webster, spokesperson for Oneida Nation says, she hopes that one of the options on the table is to let the plant be built. She says, it is a good business decision.

The city council will meet again on December 11^th.