Opponents Say Canceled Water Contract Could Short Circuit Power Plant Plan
May 5, 2008
Las Vegas, NV – Opponents say the proposed Toqoup power plant could be short
circuiting after cancellation of a crucial water contract. Developers say it's just a normal
part of doing business. The canceled contract was for water that the proposed coal-fired
power plant needs for pollution control.
Former Nevada state advocate Tim Hay says this appears to be more than just another
speed bump for the project, which was originally proposed as a gas plant. He believes the
project is in "substantial jeopardy."
"If you don't have customers lined up and you've got a gas plant that was canceled
because gas was getting expensive, and now it's a coal plant that doesn't have any water,
it just seems very unfair to keep up that ruse that this is still a viable project."
Sithe Global is the plant's developer, and spokesman Frank Maisano denies the proposed
plant is in trouble. He notes the old water contract was canceled over what he called timing
issues, and negotiations are underway for a new water contract.
"This is going to have no bearing on the plant - it is a good plant, a needed plant - and it's
as environmentally savvy as a plant can be in terms of its pollution controls."
No water means no pollution control, and that means no power plant approval, at least for
now, according to Dan Randolph with Great Basin Resource Watch. He also argues this
latest hitch for Toquop points to the bigger question of whether coal-fired power is the right
choice for Mesquite.
"Climate change and air quality concerns of pollution, mercury, and other hazardous air
pollutants are significant concerns that follow any coal fired power plant regardless of
where it's situated."
A coalition of two dozen community, environmental and Native American groups fired off a
letter to the Bureau of Land Management late last week asking that they halt the permitting
process for the proposed plant. They want to see a new public process that includes
hearings on the impact of the proposed new water source.
Michael Clifford/Chris Thomas, Public News Service - NV
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