Idaho coal plant proposal moves forward

BOISE – A legislative study committee has killed a proposal to create a state panel to decide where large power plants could locate in Idaho, allowing plans for a $1.4 billion coal-fired power plant in southern Idaho to proceed.

“The committee voted to stay with the status quo,” Sen. Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, said after his draft bill to create a state siting committee for power plants failed Wednesday.

California-based utility owner Sempra Energy has begun applying for state and federal permits to build a 600-megawatt coal-fired generating station in Jerome County. Opponents of the project fear it will harm air quality and hamper visibility in the scenic mountain ranges to the north. Jerome County commissioners will have the final say over the plant proposal.

By leaving the power plant decision to local county commissioners, Stennett says residents are denied the right to ask critical questions.

“Is this a wise use of our resources?” Stennett said. “Why are we giving up our air and our water to produce energy for the West Coast?”