Feb 18 - Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

Dixie residents fed up with a private company's plan to build a coal-fired power plant about 14 miles northwest of Mesquite in Lincoln County, Nev., will have another chance to voice their concerns.

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality will host a public meeting on Feb. 27 in the Dunford Auditorium on the Dixie State College Campus from 6 to 8 p.m., said Cheryl Heying, the department's air-quality director.

"We've heard from a lot of people who just want an opportunity to express themselves," said Heying. "We will not be answering any questions, just providing a venue."

A recording of the meeting, along with any written comments, will be forwarded to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Heying noted.

Toquop is seeking a final decision from the Nevada agency for an air-quality permit that would allow construction of the project to begin. The NDEP has already given its tentative approval for the plant as described in a draft environmental impact statement. The final public comment period closes March 7.

"There is ample time and opportunity for people in southern Utah to make their comments," said NDEP spokesman Dante Pistone. "At the same time, we would ask that people keep their comments based on the scientific and technical questions of does the plant meet all current state and federal air quality standards? We know there are political and philosophical issues out there, but those can't really enter into our evaluation."

The proposed $1.2 billion Toquop Energy Project would provide 750 megawatts of electricity for half-million customers in Arizona and Nevada, according to Sithe Global officials, who expect to have the power plant up and running by 2012.

Critics of the project say it would pollute the air, contaminate the environment and contribute to global warming. Advocates argue the project would be one of the cleanest, most efficient coal-fired power plants in the nation, providing energy, jobs and taxes to an economically depressed region.

Lin Alder, executive director of Citizens for Dixie's Future, said recent rallies that attracted hundreds of people opposed to the project are beginning to make a difference.

"We are grateful to Utah's governor and our state representatives for beginning to listen to the citizens who believe that both Nevada and Utah have better alternatives for energy in the future other than Toquop as a coal plant," said Alder, who advocates using solar energy and conservation as top choices.

Toquop spokesman Frank Maisano said those energy alternatives are not realistic on a large scale and won't provide the amount of energy needed for the region, even in the near future.

"The fact is, we know certain people in the region oppose this project. The problem is they're not suggesting how to meet the power needs," Maisano said. "This project is as advanced as they come in terms of its technology and controlling emissions."

Rod Moore, NDEP engineering permit writer for the Toquop project, said the power plant "qualifies as a low-emitting unit under Nevada's program."

Heying agreed, saying her department has reviewed the permit and found "it is consistent with federal and state requirements."

St. George spokesman Marc Mortensen said the city would not be taking a position on the Toquop power plant, in spite of a public relations campaign launched by Alder's group.

"The fact is, the city as a whole is not taking a position on Toquop due to its own reliance on electricity generated by coal- fired power plants," Mortensen said. "Individual council members are free to express their own position, but the city will not take one."

The city currently purchases 43 percent of its electricity from coal-fired plants; 23 percent from natural gas-fired power plants; and the remaining 34 percent is provided by hydroelectric power, renewables and from purchases made on the open market, which could include more power generated from coal.

The towns of Springdale, Virgin and Ivins passed resolutions against Toquop, while all three Washington County commissioners said they support the power plant.

More information about the project can be found online at http://www.toquopenergyproject.com   

E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com

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