Dixie residents denounce power project

ST. GEORGE — More than 250 Dixie residents gathered Wednesday to speak out against the proposed construction of a coal-fired power plant about 33 miles southwest of St. George in rural Lincoln County, Nev.

Private citizens, elected officials, health care professionals and at least one member of the clergy were among those who addressed the public meeting at Dixie State College. The Utah Division of Air Quality hosted the meeting.

The meeting gave Utah residents an opportunity to comment on an application by Sithe Global Power for an air quality permit that would allow construction of the planned $1.2 billion Toquop Energy Project on 640 acres of federal land.

Some in the overwhelmingly anti-Toquop crowd sported T-shirts, campaign hats and banners opposing the power plant, which would provide 750 megawatts of electricity for a half million customers in Arizona and Nevada.

UDAQ director Cheryl Heying reminded the crowd that Utah officials have no regulatory jurisdiction over the project. She said a recording of the meeting would be submitted to Nevada air quality regulators who have agreed to add it to the record of public comments.

Former Utah Gov. Olene Walker, now a resident of St. George, spoke against the potential health threat that emissions from the plant could pose to those with lung disease.

"I know power is essential," said Walker, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, an irreversible scarring of lung tissue. "When the choice is between a natural gas power plant and a coal power plant, which spews pollution, the choice should be for cleaner air."

Several speakers denounced Sithe Global's decision to cut operating costs by changing the plant's fuel source from natural gas to coal.

"Are we willing to sacrifice a few lives for cheap power?" asked St. George native Amanda Hixson.

"I don't believe power from coal-fired plants is cheaper if we factor in related health costs," said Susan Holecheck, mayor of Mesquite, Nev., which lies 14 miles from the proposed plant site.

St. George physician Craig Booth called out Sithe Global officials, and likened the energy company to Darth Vader, villain from the "Star Wars" saga.

"Where is Sithe Power?" Booth asked. "I'm tired of going to these meetings and talking to the choir. ... If this coal plant is so clean and wonderful, why don't they build it on Broadway right next to the Sithe Power headquarters?"

Other speakers said the plant would destroy the pristine nature of Utah's national parks and other scenic vistas. Some encouraged alternative clean energy sources such as solar and wind power to replace any new production of electricity from coal.

Heying said her division had reviewed the draft permit granted Sithe Global by the state of Nevada and found it in compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations.

If granted final approval by the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, the plant could be operating by 2012.

Nevada regulators have extended the final public comment period through March 7.