Jan 15 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - David DeWitte The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The times seem to be changing, and not in favor of coal-fired power plants.

Regulators in two states -- Texas and Kansas -- have put the brakes on new coalfired power plants, and dozens of coal-fired plants have been canceled or placed on hold in the past year mainly because of concerns about their impact on climate change.

But Interstate Power and Light still managed to rally an impressive show of trade allies and local supporters on the first day of an Iowa Utilities Board hearing on the proposed $1.5 billion Sutherland Unit 4 Generating Station in Marshalltown.

Supporters made up the ma jority of the overflow crowd of 200 at the Iowa Veterans Home, and more than 30 supporters spoke in favor of the project during a two-hour public comment period.

"I've sat through five presentations by Alliant on this plant and they've given us every conceivable opportunity to ask questions," said Iowa Valley Community College District Chancellor Tim Wynes. "Don't make this decision based on a fear -- fear of the unknown." But in this case, the unknown fear was bigger than most the Iowa Utilities Board has previously considered -- the fear that carbon dioxide emissions of coal-fired power plants may be deemed so damaging that federal regulators step in to halt their use or require extremely costly environmental controls to capture the carbon. "Alliant management should be fully aware of and financially responsible for this risk," said Mark Runquist, a plant opponent from Melbourne. "Alliant plans to benefit financially by the operation of this plant. They should assume the risk." Some of the opponents and supporters spoke from personal feelings and experiences.

Jonathon Buffalo of the Meskwaki Settlement near Tama said he spoke only as a grandfather.

"I can't argue against heat, electricity. There's going to be stuff put in the air no matter what, and it's all going to go down to my descendants," Buffalo said, noting that he lives downwind from the plant.

Steve Gardner of Wapello said he is the closest neighbor to Alliant's Ottumwa Generating Station in Chillicothe. He worked with other farmers to supply switchgrass for test burns of biomass fuels, and he was impressed by Alliant's willingness to take risks to try the new fuels.

Alliant proposes to address environmental concerns by designing the plant for future incorporation of carbon sequestration equipment if needed, and for the burning of switchgrass or corn stovers to reduce emissions.

Alliant would use 350 megawatts of the plant's 630 megawatt output. Corn Belt Power Cooperative and Central Iowa Power Cooperative would share 100 megawatts, and the Northern Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Association may use another 20 megawatts.

Alliant witnesses said the plant would have another 70 to 75 megawatts that could be supplied for purchased power agreements by other parties, or could be used to bring additional partners into the project.

The plant would be rated at 649 megawatts, but 190,000 pounds of steam daily would be made available to attract other industries to locate in the area or expand instead of going for power production.

The hearing continues today. A decision by the IUB could take up to six months.

Contact the writer: (319) 398-8317 or david.dewitte@ gazettecommunications.com