Homeowners Push Back Against Developers in LaSalle County
The Timber Edge Subdivision in Marseilles, Illinois, is a peaceful community where homeowners have lived for years, surrounded by rolling hills and open spaces. However, a massive clean energy project is set to change everything, and some residents are pushing back against the developers.
Constellation Energy, awarded up to $1 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy to build a nuclear-powered clean hydrogen production facility, is offering to buy back the homes of some residents who are worried about the project’s impact on their community. The proposed facility, which would be located near the LaSalle Clean Energy Center, has some residents feeling undervalued and anxious about their futures.
Residents’ Concerns
"We’re feeling pressured to sell our homes," said Melissa Pointer, a homeowner who has been in the community for several years. "We had no idea that this facility was going to be built, and we’re being offered prices that are ridiculously low. I don’t want to sell, I’m not going to sell, I just moved here."
Pointer and other residents have expressed concerns that the offers they’re receiving are insufficient, and some properties nearby have been sold to Constellation for much higher amounts. This has left homeowners feeling like they’re being taken advantage of and pressured to make a hasty decision.
Development and Industrial Impact
In mid-August, residents received letters from attorneys representing the developer – Timber Edge Associates Limited Partnership – explaining that an "opportunity exists" to sell their properties. However, some residents say that with the money they’ve been offered, they won’t be able to afford an equivalent home.
"We’re looking at homes in the surrounding area, and they’re asking for twice as much money," said Scott Damnjanovic, a homeowner. "Not even close to what our tax assessment is out here, what the county says it’s worth, it’s ridiculous."
Resident Sentiment
Homeowners like Margene Crank have spoken out against the proposal, saying that they won’t be able to find a new home that they can afford with the amount being offered. "I want them to know that I need more money to buy a new home, I don’t want to start over," she said.
Damnjanovic expressed similar sentiments, saying, "We just want the fair offers that they’ve offered the people around us."
Constellation Energy’s Statement
Constellation Energy provided a statement, saying, "Our nuclear power sites are versatile clean energy centers that can be leveraged to drive economic development and help decarbonize other industries that need clean, reliable energy for their operations. At this time, no decision has been made on the future use of the property nor are there plans to purchase additional property near the facility."
Resident Desires
Despite the efforts of Constellation Energy to provide information, residents remain uncertain about their futures and the impact of the facility on their community. They’re calling for more transparency and fair treatment.
"We’re getting so many different stories from Constellation, from the attorneys, from Barr Group, we don’t know what’s going on," said Pointer. "We just want the fair offers that they’ve offered the people around us."
FAQs
Q: What is Constellation Energy’s proposed clean hydrogen facility?
A: The proposed facility would be the largest nuclear-powered clean hydrogen production facility in the world, located near the LaSalle Clean Energy Center.
Q: How much is Constellation Energy being awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy?
A: Constellation Energy is being awarded up to $1 billion by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Q: What do homeowners stand to gain if they sell their properties to the developer?
A: Homeowners who sell their properties to the developer would receive a one-time payment, the amount of which has not been publicly disclosed.
Q: How many homeowners have received offers to buy their properties?
A: According to reports, a select group of homeowners in the Timber Edge Subdivision have received offers to buy their properties.
Q: When will construction on the facility begin?
A: A start date has not been announced, and residents are seeking more transparency from Constellation Energy on the project’s timeline.
