By MATT FURBER
For the Idaho Mountain Express
The Sun Valley City Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday expressing its concerns regarding Sempra Generation's coal-fired power plant proposed for Jerome County.
The resolution supported by Mayor Jon Thorson and council members recommends that Blaine County enter into discussions with Jerome County and other neighboring counties to establish a joint planning and zoning commission to review and evaluate proposals and applications pertaining to the project. The resolution is a move to oversee how the proposed power station impacts the health and welfare of Blaine County citizens and other residents of the region.
The resolution cites potential environmental impacts to water resources and air quality as concerns. Despite claims that there may be some economic benefits, the resolution suggests that a proposed commission also look into possible negative economic impacts and social detractions like the potential for displacement of agricultural land uses.