Feb 23 - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Michelle Dunlop The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho

 

Coal-gasification plants, such as the one being considered near Pocatello, might not fare so well in Idaho, an energy expert told a legislative committee on Wednesday.

"It probably would not be a good fit for Idaho," said Tom Hewson, of Energy Ventures Analysis, Inc.

Hewson's company serves as a consultant to energy companies and provides forecasts of the energy market. He spoke to members of the House Environment, Energy and Technology Committee at the request of Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover. In Hewson's opinion, pulverized coal plants, like the one proposed near Jerome, are a better fit for Idaho.

Last year, Southeast Idaho Energy announced its intent to build a 520-megawatt coal-gasification plant at the former FMC site outside of Pocatello. Shortly after, Sempra Generation officials announced their plan for a 600-megwatt coal-fired plant near Jerome.

Coal-gasification proves more efficient when it uses coal from the East Coast, Hewson said. Idaho's elevation also serves as a detriment to locating a coal-gasification plant in the state, he said.

Hewson, however, did think that Sempra's plant might be a fit for the state. The proximity of the company's planned site to Wyoming where it would get low-cost, low-sulfur Powder River Basin coal makes good sense, he said.

"There is a belief that pulverized coal is an old technology," Hewson said. But, "it is always advancing."

Sempra would use the "supercritical" type of pulverized coal technology at its Jerome plant. Hewson estimated that Sempra's plant would be one of the lowest emitters of air pollutants in the country compared to average emission rates of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury by power plants today.

Roy Eiguren, lobbyist for Sempra, pointed out to the committee that the company did not sponsor Hewson's visit.

Eskridge had heard Hewson speak at the National Conference of State Legislatures and invited him to present to members "because of this committee's interest and the timeliness of this issue." Several Magic Valley lawmakers have proposed legislation to block Sempra's plant in response to opposition by local residents.

The committee will hold a hearing on March 2 on a coal-fired power plant moratorium proposed by Rep. Sharon Block, R-Twin Falls.

Reporter Michelle Dunlop covers the Legislature and natural resources for The Times-News. She can be reached in Boise at 343-5553 or by e-mail at mdunlop@magicvalley.com.