Friday, December 29, 2006

In 2006, state turned away energy giant

Public outcry resulted in two-year moratorium on coal-fired power plants


By REBECCA MEANY
Express Staff Writer

Clint Stennett & Wendy Jaquet

The state closed out the year with a temporary resolution to an issue that captured the attention, and raised the hackles, of thousands of Idahoans.

San Diego-based Sempra Generation's intention to build a $1.4 billion, 600 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Jerome County stoked a grass-roots fire that spread, albeit slowly, from local citizens to their elected representatives.

Proponents said the project would provide jobs and million of dollars in taxes.

Opponents said the technology was outdated and posed a risk to Idaho's air and water and the health of its citizens.

Sen. Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, whose district includes Blaine, Lincoln, Camas and Gooding counties, proposed at the beginning of the legislative session a one-year moratorium bill, as well as several other power plant-related bills. The bill did not get a hearing.

Rep. Sharon Block, R-Twin Falls, later introduced a two-year moratorium bill in the House.

More than 100 people showed up March 2 for a public hearing on her bill. Another one drew more than 80 people, including some Blaine County residents, to the State Capitol on March 27. Most who testified were in favor of a moratorium.

House Speaker Bruce Newcomb, R-Burley, eventually got behind the idea, sponsoring a bill of his own. It gained more momentum than the previous bills, and eventually made its way through both houses.

With Republican sponsorship and a rising tide of opposition to the coal-fired power plant among a diverse array of interests, the Idaho Legislature in spring enacted a two-year moratorium on coal-fired power plants.

Then-Gov. Dirk Kempthorne signed it into law.

Sempra almost simultaneously announced it would try to sell development rights to that project.

Corporate officials said the moratorium had little to do with the decision. But the company maintained that moratoriums are bad policy.

Although the moratorium does not affect coal gasification plants, environmentalists and coal opponents praised the action. While under the moratorium, the state will have time to revisit its current and future needs, its resources and its limitations.

With Gov. Jim Risch signing an order to opt out of a federal mercury cap and trade program, which would have allowed power plants to operate in Idaho by buying pollution credits from other states, traditional coal-fired power plants were removed, at least temporarily, from consideration.

Lawmakers also approved a resolution that calls for a state energy plan.

Although multiple subcommittees, including members of the public as well as legislators, met over the summer and fall, committee chairs determined there was not enough time or money to hold a series of public hearings on the draft plan.

Environmentalists lodged a volley of criticism over that decision, as well as the draft's recommendation not to require a state siting process.

Currently, county commissioners have sole authority to approve a power plant once Idaho Department of Environmental Quality permits are issued and a transfer of water rights is secured.

A final energy plan draft was being drawn up in late December, ready for unveiling to the new Legislature in January 2007.




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