"We understand that this going to be a huge loss of jobs and incomes in this area. And we certainly want to do what we can to minimize the impact," said Mark Kanz, Local Affairs Manager for Dominion Energy Kewaunee.
The impact includes 650 jobs and nearly $86-million lost to the area economy. An 18-month effort failed to find a buyer. But a citizens group opposed to the shutdown wonders whether Dominion is acting too hastily."The natural gas price over the last couple of years has plummeted. There's nothing that says it can't go right back up in a short period of time," said Doug Day, spokesman for Keeping Kewaunee Open For Business.
The group also would like to know whether state aid is possible, as with other large scale employers.
"The state gave Mercury Marine 70-million dollars in tax credits and incentives. Janesville, the GM plant, got 163-million dollars in state incentives," Day said.
Dominion remains committed to working with Kewaunee County on economic development. But one option remains off the table."
"Dominion spent 18-months marketing the plant and was not able to find a suitable buyer. And so the decision was made in October to move forward to do the decommissioning process," Kanz said.
Issues that will likely continue to be debated well after the May 7 closure.
Local 5's Terry Kovarik has the story
