Mar. 3--Supporters and opponents of a coal-fired plant proposed near Jerome told lawmakers the issue is not just local but of statewide significance. More than 120 people stuffed themselves into the Statehouse's Gold Room Thursday to testify on a proposed two-year moratorium on permitting of coal-fired power plants in Idaho. Sempra Corp's proposed 600-megawatt power plant has divided southern Idaho's Magic Valley. For banker and former Democratic Gov. John Evans of Burley, Sempra presents a threat to air quality, water quality and Idaho's traditional agricultural industries. "Which industry is most important?" Evans asked the House Environment, Energy and Technology Committee.

For Boise economist John Church, the economic question is not Sempra versus the dairy, aquaculture, farming and tourism industries, pointing to the coexistence of industries to neighboring Utah's 10 coal plants. He sees statewide benefits of Sempra's $1.4 billion investment and up to 1,000 construction jobs, including $141 million in taxes for the state over 10 years of operation. "When you buy electricity from out of state ... you are essentially taking dollars out of your pocket and sending it to another state," said Church, who is under contract to Sempra. State and federal agencies will have final say about the plant's environmental impacts.

But the siting decision is solely in the hands of the three Jerome County commissioners, who would see the county's tax rolls triple if the plant is built there. Residents worry the plant will add mercury and other pollutants to the entire Magic Valley's relatively clean air. If the new plant pushes the air over federal limits, other industries, like dairies, expressed concern they would face costly new regulations. Twin Falls officials expressed fears that the solid waste from the plant stored above the Snake River Plain Aquifer threatens its water supply. Rep. Leon Smith, R-Twin Falls, who is one of the co- sponsors of the moratorium, told the committee that the state needs time to determine how serious fears are for residents.

"Shouldn't something be done about the safety of the people of the Magic Valley?" Smith said. Local electric cooperative executives warned the region doesn't have time to wait. The Bonneville Power Administration, the agency that markets power from federal hydro dams in the Pacific Northwest, has warned utilities it will not be able to meet their demand after 2013. "Idaho needs to begin now to produce our energy needs," said Ralph Williams, general manager of United Electrical Cooperative in Heyburn. But several speakers said there is nothing to ensure that Sempra's electricity will be used in Idaho.

The power plant will sell its power to the highest bidder. "We're using our air, the cleanest water in the universe and our land to produce power for someone else," said Sen. Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum. Sempra officials have warned that a two- year moratorium might force them to leave the state. But Linda Lemmon, executive director of the Hagerman-based Idaho Aquaculture Association, said the state has time to do the studies and set in place the safeguards to ensure coal-fired plants can be built her safely. "There are other companies waiting to take their place," Lemmon said.