Mayor Spinner Clarifies Interest in Proposal Linked to Riverview Energy Plant Proposal in Dale

By: David Shepherd, News Director / Anchor 

HUNTINGBURG -- Huntingburg mayor Denny Spinner is clarifying his interest in the Riverview Energy Plant proposal in Dale.

The mayor released a statement this week, confirming he has been approached by a Riverview official about the possibility of the city taking in the water runoff at Huntingburg Lake… should the project be approved.

The mayor says he was interested in further conversation about the idea to gather facts and data.  The city’s water superintendent submitted an extensive list of questions to the company, however,as of now, they have not been answered.

The mayor insists this is the only communication that has taken place between Riverview Energy and the city. 

Opponents of the Dale plant worry about the impact it will have on the environment.

Now mayor Spinner is saying the quality of the city’s water remains the number one priority.  He says it’s his sworn duty to gather information about any potential development that impacts Huntingburg, which is what he says he’s done.

He added water quality will never be compromised for the citizens who drink it and industries that use the water for the economic benefit of the city.

You can read the mayor's full statement below.

Opponents of the Dale plant worry about the impact it will have on the environment.

The City of Huntingburg has a long history of providing our residents and industry with excellent water quality, which is of utmost importance and a point of pride to me, our utility board, and our water department employees.

Our staff goes through extensive training and testing to work in the water department, and when a water main leaks or breaks, these employees are literally in the trenches making repairs to minimize service disruption to you. They are also operating the water filtration plant to ensure the water you receive is top quality.

Recently, I was approached by a representative of Riverview Energy regarding a potential project located in Dale, Indiana. I was asked that should the project be approved, would the City be interested in taking the water runoff at Huntingburg Lake.

My answer was that we would be interested in further conversation to gather facts and data.

Our Water Superintendent submitted to the company an extensive list of questions, which have yet to be answered. That is the only communication between the City and Riverview that has taken place at this point.

As Mayor, it is my responsibility to be informed about all potential developments that could affect our community. The quality of our water remains the number one priority, and any proposal that would negatively affect that will not be considered.

My sworn duty is to gather information of any potential development that impacts Huntingburg, which is what I have done. Any proposal brought before the Utility Board will receive the due diligence and public input that has been standard procedure for this administration.

Water quality will never be compromised for the citizens who drink our water every day, nor for the industries that use this resource to provide jobs and economic strength for our City.

I am extremely proud of this community, and the quality of our utilities remains my priority.

Dennis W. Spinner, Mayor City of Huntingburg