Meeting on coal-fired power plant set

ST. GEORGE — Dixie residents fed up with a private company's plan to build a coal-fired power plant about 14 miles northwest of Mesquite in Lincoln County, Nev., will have another chance to voice their concerns.

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality will host a public meeting on Feb. 27 in the Dunford Auditorium on the Dixie State College Campus from 6 to 8 p.m., said Cheryl Heying, the department's air-quality director.

"We've heard from a lot of people who just want an opportunity to express themselves," said Heying. "We will not be answering any questions, just providing a venue."

A recording of the meeting, along with any written comments, will be forwarded to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Heying noted.

Toquop is seeking a final decision from the Nevada agency for an air-quality permit that would allow construction of the project to begin. The NDEP has already given its tentative approval for the plant as described in a draft environmental impact statement. The final public comment period closes March 7.

"There is ample time and opportunity for people in southern Utah to make their comments," said NDEP spokesman Dante Pistone. "At the same time, we would ask that people keep their comments based on the scientific and technical questions of does the plant meet all current state and federal air quality standards? We know there are political and philosophical issues out there, but those can't really enter into our evaluation."

The proposed $1.2 billion Toquop Energy Project would provide 750 megawatts of electricity for half-million customers in Arizona and Nevada, according to Sithe Global officials, who expect to have the power plant up and running by 2012.

Critics of the project say it would pollute the air, contaminate the environment and contribute to global warming. Advocates argue the project would be one of the cleanest, most efficient coal-fired power plants in the nation, providing energy, jobs and taxes to an economically depressed region.

Lin Alder, executive director of Citizens for Dixie's Future, said recent rallies that attracted hundreds of people opposed to the project are beginning to make a difference.

"We are grateful to Utah's governor and our state representatives for beginning to listen to the citizens who believe that both Nevada and Utah have better alternatives for energy in the future other than Toquop as a coal plant," said Alder, who advocates using solar energy and conservation as top choices.

Toquop spokesman Frank Maisano said those energy alternatives are not realistic on a large scale and won't provide the amount of energy needed for the region, even in the near future.

Recent comments