Toquop activists ask for hearing Article published Jan 23, 2008
PATRICE ST. GERMAIN
patrices@thespectrum.com ST. GEORGE - Members of Citizens for Dixie's Future have sent a letter to the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection asking for a public hearing here concerning the Toquop coal-fired power plant. Several municipalities in the county will also consider sending a letter to the NDEP asking for a public hearing in St. George. Citizens for Dixie's Future sent an e-mail to NDEP last week and the organization is asking the communities of Springdale, Ivins and Virgin to do the same, said administrative director Kai Reed. The Mesquite, Springdale and Ivins city councils have already passed resolutions opposing the proposed 750-megawatt coal-fired electric plant that would be located 14 miles northwest of Mesquite. A public hearing is scheduled in Mesquite on Feb. 7, but Reed said since Utah is downwind of the proposed plant a public hearing should also be scheduled in St. George.
"We felt that they should hold one in St. George so people don't have to travel to Mesquite," Reed said. Reed said Citizens for Dixie's Future is planning a rally on Feb. 5 where the health risks of coal-fired plants will be discussed and, hopefully, be followed a few days later by a public hearing. A telephone call to Rod Moore, staff engineer in the emissions audit department of NDEP, was not returned Tuesday afternoon. Virgin Town councilwoman Lee Ballard said she supports the request asking for a public hearing. "It's going to affect us more than any populous place in Nevada or at least as much. It's only fair we get input on it (Toquop)," Ballard said. Washington County Commissioner James Eardley said it is not the commission's intention to send out a letter requesting a hearing in St. George, but said he was in support of a local hearing. "The more information that gets to the public the better," Eardley said. Eardley said the commission is concerned with the lack of affordable energy and said it becomes a more important issue as time passes. A county energy summit is in the planning stages to discuss the power needs of the community as it continues to grow. Eardley said the Toquop plant would benefit the Washington County area as that plant provides power to some areas that may make more available for the county as well. "We are concerned about future generation. We are losing our generation capacity as hydroelectric plants are taken out of service," Eardley said. "You don't just turn on a switch. The power has to come from somewhere." As far as supporting Toquop, Eardley said people need to be open about it. "The EPA said coal-powered is a clean source and I guess they have done their research," Eardley said. "Speaking for myself, I'm afraid sometimes we are quick to make up our minds before analyzing everything." While Reed is hopeful the NDEP will have a public hearing in St. George, if it doesn't she is hopeful people from the area will go to Mesquite. "Part of the event on the fifth (Feb. 5), is to come and learn about the health risks and get people motivated," Reed said. "People need to recognize we are downwind and have a strong stake in interstate air pollution."
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