Time to close door on Synergen

Dear Editor:

While Synergen may think they are doing a huge service to our community, our community does not want another large water using facility in our county. 
They state approximately 65 jobs will be created, which is purely speculative. Studies show the actual number of jobs is between 20 and 49. The pitch in their editorial doesn’t speak of hiring and training locals, so I’m not sure we could even consider the income opportunities stated really impacting Hamilton County. 
They boast of what a huge economic game changer this will be, when No. 1, they stated they will be piping product directly to the Gulf of Mexico, and the tax opportunity they tout bears out to be about $1.5 million per year. In my mind that is not worth using up our natural resources, prime farm land and I believe degrading our lifestyle with another manufacturing facility in the neighborhood. 
Although Synergen states it will give farmers easier access to nitrogen products, I have to question how. They are manufacturing ammonia and hydrogen, not manufacturing fertilizer. 
While there isn’t a precise number available, data shows that a significant portion of Nebraska farmers are actively reducing their nitrogen fertilizer usage, with many transitioning to more efficient practices, resulting in a noticeable decrease in nitrogen applied per bushel of corn grown over time. This trend indicates a growing movement away from heavy reliance on nitrogen fertilizers in the state. 
Key points to consider: 
Decreased nitrogen use per bushel: 
Studies show a significant decline in the amount of nitrogen fertilizer used per bushel of corn produced in Nebraska, suggesting farmers are applying less overall. 
Focus on efficiency: 
Many farmers are adopting practices like soil testing and precision agriculture to optimize nitrogen application and minimize waste. 
Environmental concerns: 
Growing awareness about groundwater nitrate pollution linked to excess nitrogen fertilizer is driving this shift towards reduced usage.” (taken from Google) 
Let’s be very clear: all the financial data being shared in the article is speculative. Synergen HAS NEVER BUILT AN AMMONIA/HYDROGEN PLANT, NOR HAS THEIR LEADERSHIP EVER WORKED FOR A COMPANY THAT HAS. 
Synergen’s owner was the CEO of Skeiron Renewable Energy, a company that invested and managed portfolios of wind turbine assets. Pranav, the Synergen owner, obtained funding from Hong Kong/Chinese-based businesses. Their only and most important concern is an ROI.
They don’t care if all our water is used, which environmentalist say will happen, our air is polluted, which stastistics prove out green energy is NOT green and does not promote a healthy community. Nitrogen oxides and particulates are emitted that are harmful to anyone with a breathing condition. 
Areas to look at for comparison can be St. Joseph Parish in Louisiana, where the ammonia plants and refineries have caused a majority of the community to vacate. It’s called Cancer Alley because of the overall toxicity. 
It was stated they have empathy for people of the community that are concerned with three million gallons of water being used a day, and that if it were detrimental NRD would not have issued water permits. Well, NRD was asked to decide without current data. The studies they were given were five years old and did not factor recent climate changes that constantly threaten allocation for our farmers. In recent meetings it has been recommended that if farmers go on allocation, big water users should also be required to receive a reduced amount of water, and that there should be a moratorium on big water users so in-depth research can be done without being rushed to make a decision. 
All that being said, in the NRD meeting Nov. 14, the board did not approve the Synergen extension request, so no drilling for water will occur without the entire process being started again. Thank you NRD board! We can also thank NPPD for confirming they would not have electrical needs available to meet Synergen’s’ request, and asked for $20 million up front for development!
Synergen is hungry to gain the US Treasury Tax reduction incentive. I have read their request to the IRS to have an extension to Internal Revenue Code section 45V, which provides a tax credit for clean produced hydrogen, but requires reporting and liquidity parameters that Synergen has been asking to be modified because they have not been able to meet the requirements. 
I believe this is causing them to make a hard push and compelling argument to Hamilton County community, thus their editorial. The county did not approve going forward with the plan, the NRD has not approved an extension, and I have not seen an IRS response to their requests. So add that the community does not want this and I think they should take this all-around rejection and move on.
It’s important to remember, the revenue gains stated are speculative, and their statements of being environmental stewards is only a statement because they have never done this before, so can only make promises that are based on business models. 
While I commend the Aurora Development Corp for looking for opportunities for Aurora to grow, I do question why they are sticking hard with Synergen as the vehicle to bring us to your growth goals. I encourage them to do a county poling to see what other ideas might be brought forward that truly enhance our community. 
Let’s not continue to waste time and energy here. Simply close the door, and bid Synergen adieu.
Ann Ashburn,
Aurora