By Mark Havnes
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 02/14/2008 02:49:13 AM MST
CEDAR CITY - They gave out coal and valentines to protest plans for a coal-fired power plant across the
border in Nevada.
Now southern Utahns get to give environmental watchdogs something else: A piece of their mind.
After initial objections, Nevada has agreed to let the Beehive State stage a public hearing about the $1.3
billion, 750-megawatt Toquop power plant proposed near Mesquite.
Dante Pistone, a spokesman for Nevada's Division of Environmental Protection, said Wednesday that
the agency has reached a deal with Utah's Department of Environmental Quality to gather public input for
the official record.
"We understand their concerns and welcome their comments," he said.
Cheryl Heying, director of the Utah Division of Air Quality, said Nevada has been contacted several
times about giving Utahns an opportunity to weigh in.
"They [Utahns] have a lot of concerns," she said, "and we want them to know that we are listening."
News of the Utah hearing - set for Feb. 27 in St. George - pleased plant foes worried about health
effects.
"We're very grateful that the governor and state representatives are looking to the people who believe
that there are better alternatives for Utah and Nevada than the proposed coal plant," said Lin Alder,
executive director of Citizens for Dixie's Future.
Frank Maisano, a spokesman for the proposed plant, said Sithe Global Power welcomes the debate and
is not fazed by the Utah hearing.
"We have the cleanest coal-fired plant in the country," he said
mhavnes@sltrib.com
