Rather than being seduced by promises of glittering new tax revenues and jobs for homefolks, more Idaho legislators and community interest groups are showing reservations about the planned coal-burning power plant near Jerome.
It's about time.
The issues are simple.
Does Idaho want to become a farm for out-of-state coal-fired plants that produce power for export and foul Idaho air and water described by state Sen. Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, as "the cleanest in the universe"?
Formidable new obstacles now lie ahead for the San Diego-based Sempra Corp.'s planned 600-watt plant.
House Speaker Bruce Newcomb, one of the state's most powerful political figures, is offering three pieces of legislation. One would withhold operating licenses for such a plant for two years. Another would require a commission to study effects of such plants and recommend standards for air quality and plant location. And, the last would place water-rights transfers under control of the Legislature.
This new legislative clout and concern, plus growing citizen opposition to the plant, truly is a tribute to the single-mindedness of Sen. Stennett's unflagging efforts to raise alarms about the plant.
Sempra has fouled its own nest, too. It tried a heavy-handed economic threat: Approve the plant or we may take it elsewhere. Idahoans don't like bullies.
Sempra is stumbling in neighboring Nevada as well. For reasons not fully explained, Sempra has stopped work on a federally required environmental study for a coal-fired plant there. Some believe the Nevada project is dead because California, a possible major purchaser of Sempra power, bans importing any electricity produced in coal plants. And, Nevada has additional reservations about providing the needed water for coal-fired steam.
Sempra's Idaho plant is not a local issue confined to Jerome County. Downwind fallout from emissions could irreparably harm air and water in adjoining counties.
The eventual losses and costs to those priceless economic assets may overshadow any so-called benefits of the Sempra plant in jobs and taxes. Clean water and air are irreplaceable once poisoned.
Lawmakers should not dilly-dally on the new legislative package that would give the state control of its own air and water. It should listen to the speaker of the House and to representatives of the region where human health and outdoor culture are threatened.
That done, they should devote serious, long-range thought to energy, create incentives for households to use solar and for industry to increase development of wind power in areas where wind is literally going to waste.
