|
Feb 7 - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News - Michelle Dunlop
The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho,
Winning the hearts and minds of Magic Valley residents may be the toughest challenge facing representatives of a proposed coal-fired plant. By the weekend after Sempra made its selection of the Jerome site official last April, the Coalition for Healthy Idaho Communities, or CHIC, announced its formation. Hagerman resident Peter Remmen and Gooding resident Karen Arkoosh were among the group's first members. CHIC's Web site at http://www.healthyidaho.org/ gives an explanation of its position on the coal-fired power plant. For more information, call Peter Remmen at 837-4097. For the past three months or more, the Citizens Protecting Resources organization, or CPR, has met Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Idaho Department of Fish and Game headquarters in Jerome. Nearly 35 people show up every week, said Carl Nellis, who serves as CPR's president. Nellis says the Jerome-based group is composed of farmers, bankers, businessmen and others. "It's almost a reflection of the community," he said. Nellis says CPR members are concerned about the "short-term profits and long-term" problems a coal-fired power plant could bring. Right now, CPR is trying to get its members active in commenting on legislation at the Capitol, Nellis said. On Wednesday, members of CPR will give a presentation to the Jerome Chamber of Commerce at noon in the China Garden restaurant in Jerome. Sempra officials already gave their presentation to the chamber. CPR will share a booth at the Home and Garden Show with another opposition group, Keep Magic Valley Magic. Keep Magic Valley Magic includes retired and current politicians, engineers and bankers. One member, Rep. Sharon Block, R-Twin Falls, is working on legislation aimed at power plants like the one Sempra is proposing for Jerome. The group meets in the Twin Falls City Council Chambers. For more information, contact David Mead at 733-4678. |