Water and land use, emissions and aesthetics were on the minds of Jerome city officials as they queried representatives of Sempra Generation about the effects of the coal-fired power plant proposed for Jerome County.
Company officials made a presentation to the Jerome City Council Wednesday, Jan. 25, to provide information and gain support for the $1.4 billion, 600-megawatt project.
"The purpose of this is to try to assess the impacts and ... effects for the city of Jerome," said Mayor Charles Correll.
The council took no action on the matter, but asked multiple questions about the plan.
Several council members wanted to know why Idaho, and Jerome County in particular, was the preferred site.
Project manager Bruce McCulloch cited several reasons Sempra, operating in Idaho under subsidiary Idaho Valley Energy, chose Jerome: a 9-mile spur could be built off existing rail lines; transmission lines could be extended from a mid-point substation to connect to potential markets; and sufficient ground water rights have been secured.
In addition, he said Idaho is growing at about 5 percent per year and will need additional power to keep up with demand.
"Idaho Power has stated a need for 500 megawatts of coal capacity in 2011," McCulloch said. "We support wind and solar (power), but they just can't meet base load demands. Coal really offers the best opportunity to address base load supply, (and) we think it can be used in an environmentally responsible manner."
Councilwoman Marjorie Schmidt noted public concerns still need to be addressed.
"It would be good for Sempra to allay fears the public is having," she said. "(The plant) is over our world-class aquifer, and (disposal site) liners do leak."
While Sempra officials make presentations about the plant, and try to secure necessary permits, local grassroots groups have organized to oppose the project.
Opponents maintain there are cleaner ways to provide energy to a growing population, including coal gasification plants.
State and local politicians are looking to enact a more stringent review process for power plants.
Sen. Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, and Sun Valley Councilman Nils Ribi, have proposed regional reviews of projects such as Sempra's.
Currently, county commissioners have sole authority to approve a power plant once the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issues its permit and a transfer of water right is secured.
Idaho Valley Energy spokeswoman Patty Nance said Sun Valley has not contacted Sempra.
"We would love to share facts about the project with the mayor and council before they make any formal decision about supporting the project," she said.
