Lawsuits tie up coal-fired power plant

SIGURD, Sevier County — The company that has spent years chasing local approvals for a coal-fired power plant is dropping a demand that Sevier County commissioners take a final up-or-down vote.

Sevier Power Co.'s demand had put the project on the Monday agenda of county commissioners, but the company says it's asking for a time-out because lawsuits and appeals filed by opponents are still pending.

Sevier Power partner Bruce Taylor says the litigation will take up to six more months to resolve itself in state courts.

A group called Sevier Citizens for Clean Air and Water says it is winning the battle against the county's initial zoning approval and is challenging a state air-quality permit before the Utah Supreme Court.

One county commissioner, Ivan Cowley, says he's happy to put off a final vote.