From Deseret News archives:
Opposition grows against Nevada plant
Company wants to see coal-fired power in Mesquite region
The proposed $1.2 billion Toquop Energy Project would generate 750 megawatts of electricity, enough to provide power to 75,000 homes in the Las Vegas and Phoenix area, according to the permit application filed by Sithe Global Power.
The company's original plan to build a natural gas-fired power plant changed to coal when gas prices escalated. A new environmental impact statement is now required, according to the Bureau of Land Management in Nevada.
Critics say the coal-fired plant would pollute the environment, contribute to global warming and create unnecessary health risks for residents of the region.
But Sithe Global Power spokesman Frank Maisano said the proposed plant would use the latest cleaning technology to prevent the drift of pollutants into Washington County. In addition, the company also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection to make pollution control changes once the technology becomes commercially feasible.
But there are plenty of folks who don't believe that statement, or any others made by the privately held energy company.
"If the Toquop coal plant is issued a permit, that will mean 50 to 60 years of pollution for southern Utah. Neither our residents nor our tourist economy can afford it," DeMoss Roberts said.
An online petition hosted by Citizens for Dixie's Future also seeks to have the coal-fired plant permit denied. So far, hundreds of people in Utah and Nevada have signed the petition, voicing concern for the future of the region's air quality if the plant is built.
"You claim your plant is 80 percent cleaner than all others?" writes Kris Neal of Washington County. "We don't want the 20 percent dirty air in our area."
Lin Alder, executive director of the citizen's group, said he plans to deliver the petition to BLM officials before the Dec. 11 public comment deadline on the project.
"The residents of Washington County have spoken very clearly through Vision Dixie," said Alder. "In that process, 'protecting air quality' ranked No. 1 among 16 options for government priorities."
The group's petition asks Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and the Utah congressional delegation to put pressure on Nevada to deny the power plant permit.
Recent comments
There is a coal fired electrical plant proposed by NEVCO, a...
Patsy Johnson | Dec. 6, 2007 at 9:38 p.m.
Interesting that one of the fastest growing and most unsustainable...
Skeptic | Dec. 6, 2007 at 12:40 p.m.
- Woman who fell off shuttle identified 4:43 p.m.
- No one right way to deal with conflict 4:37 p.m.
- Tax evasion trial set for chiropractor 4:31 p.m.
- Mitchell's attorneys file to withdraw 4:16 p.m.
- Isch not interested in heading NCAA 4:15 p.m.
- Notre Dame QB punched at bar 3:42 p.m.
- RSL gets warm reception at Capitol 3:38 p.m.
- 2 excuted in China milk scandal 3:33 p.m.
- Winners of the Pie-Ku contest 3:18 p.m.
- Furry felons rob S. African tourists 3:15 p.m.
- Utah, BYU are top choices for bowls
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
- Best prep football games of 2009
- KSL: Prostitution in Utah County
- Man trapped in own body for 23 yrs
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded
- Kirilenko climbing blocks list
- 'Dancing' will fill out finale
- Boys basketball rankings
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
221 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - BYU would like friendlier rivalry
198 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
179 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
175 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
137 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
134 - BYU records with win
132 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103
Associated Press Personal Finance Writer Candice Choi offers gift-giving...
Come on people! BYU fans are just as bad. Three years ago after they beat us...
To the misinformed: The Police are legally allowed and 99.99% of the time...
Yeah... in this case a fumbling panicked student going for her gun... would...
Trouble with English 101? How is that possible when you had English 101 for...
By the way, CJ is correct. Hatch has sold out Americans every chance he got...
Isn't Twilight a fantasy about daemons (vampires and wearwolves)? SO I don't...
is my life when I have been waiting for Utah(the Jazz) to win a championship...
This is a message to my fellow men. We are always wrong. No matter what it...
Guaranteed victory for the Dems! Jo
From the CDC’s most recent (2007) figures, the MSM Prevalence...

