Coal power monopolizes energy discussion

By Jared S. Hopkins, Times-News writer
Thursday, February 22, 2007 5:29 PM CST

BOISE , Idaho — For nearly three hours on Tuesday (Feb.21), the House Environment Energy and Technology Committee heard almost two dozen people testify to what they said were shortcomings in a proposed energy plan — the lack of statewide oversight and the remaining long-term possibility for coal power.

“The question is, does the resulting plan of today’s discussion adequately address the people’s concerns about coal-fired generation in the state of Idaho,” Rep. Sharon Block, R-Twin Falls — who opposed the plan — testified before the lawmakers. “There is no such thing as clean coal, ladies and gentlemen. All coal has 21 contaminants.”

But ultimately, the committee — which included the minority Democrats who earlier aired their own criticisms — felt the 93-page document was a step in the right direction and unanimously sent it to the House floor. Lawmakers contended the document is simply the first step in one of many for Idaho, which imports more than 75 percent of its power.

Rep. Clete Edmunson, R-Council, who was not on the interim committee, said he is comfortable with relying on county commissioners and expressed confidence they would not risk their areas for the benefit of power companies.

“I firmly believe in local control,” he said. “(The commissioners) know that county better than any board or any centralized bureaucracy in Boise would know it.”

The plan, the result of a summer interim committee, has been hailed both for its emphasis on conservation and renewable energy, as well asking to increase power self-sufficiency and affordability.

The criticism, however, has come from activists, conservationists and various lawmakers for emphasiz-ing local control and not implementing a long-term ban on coal power plants. The hubbub comes after widespread opposition in the Magic Valley to a $1.4-billion, 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant pro-posed by Sempra Energy in Jerome County.

“This plan leaves us exactly in the same place as when Sempra first proposed its plant,” said Leslie Bradshaw of the Blaine County Citizens For Clean Energy, who acknowledged that the Sempra controversy was the driving force for her attending the hearing. “It is misguided to deal with any issue that affects the general public on the local level when it is clearly not a local issue.”

Republican lawmakers maintained that the two-year moratorium is sufficient for the time being since the committee will meet again this summer — a sentiment echoed Tuesday by House Minority Leader Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum.

“I know some people I represent would like me to vote, no but I think there’s a lot of time and effort a lot of people invested in here,” she said before voting. “We should adopt this plan and know we have a big job description for the future, including looking at siting.”

Nearby states, including Washington, Oregon and Montana, have statewide siting groups. A bill in the Senate would create a state siting panel.

Lawmakers said the plan provides for input with the involvement of state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Quality and the Fish and Game Commission, which would field public comments and serve as a responsible voice.

Some individuals, who testified — including those supporting the plan — submitted recommended amendments, but such proposals would be included in the minutes but not the plan, said Chairman Dell Raybould, R-Rexburg.

Currently, a coal-fired power plant in Idaho is unlikely because former Gov. Jim Risch had the state opt-out of the federal cap-and-trade program.

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