[Vision2020] Idaho Leg. to hear from nuke plant developer

[Tim Lohrmann]

  http://www.snakeriveralliance.org/
  
Legislative Energy Panel meets Aug. 21: Nuke plant on tap--not siting

The Idaho Legislature's Energy, Environment and Technology Interim Committee has released its agenda for its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 21, and while a Virginia businessman has been invited to talk up his proposed Bruneau nuclear power plant, lawmakers don't plan to discuss the need for a state energy facility siting authority to study how the proposal would affect Idahoans.

Idaho public interest groups and clean-energy advocates have been concerned about the interim committee's lack of action this summer, particularly given the Legislature's failure to address pressing energy issues in the 2007 session. But the decision to hear a promotional presentation from nuclear power plant developer Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc., while delaying or deferring a discussion of state facility siting is particularly troubling.

The interim energy committee and its subcommittees met frequently last year as they worked on the new state energy plan, which the Idaho Legislature approved earlier this year. The group has yet to meet this year, and there are few indications legislators plan to delve into the myriad recommendations included in the new energy plan or propose significant energy legislation.

The most urgent and contentious energy issue lawmakers face is whether to create a state "facility siting" authority to review large energy projects. The interim committee's work last year was driven largely by the ill-fated Sempra coal plant proposed for Jerome County. After Sempra abandoned plans for what would have been Idaho's first coal plant, lawmakers imposed a two-year moratorium on merchant power plants (those not owned by utilities, and therefore not regulated by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission) while the state assessed its energy situation and plans for the future. The issue of facility siting is critical, since with no state review on how or whether power plants should be located in Idaho, the final permitting decision rests with three-member county commissions. In the case of AEHI's planned "Idaho Energy Complex," Owyhee County commissioners will have the final say on the project - assuming it receives federal and state permits.

Given that any large power plant poses environmental and other concerns in adjacent counties and beyond, prudent state policy would create a facility siting panel for adequate review of the project. The lack of state review of the proposed Sempra coal plant was a big reason Idahoans rose up to defeat the plant and demand the State get involved in these decisions. To begin hearing sales pitches from power plant developers without first resolving the siting issue will only guarantee a repeat of last year's Sempra fiasco.

Legislators, particularly those on the interim energy committee, need to hear from their constituents on the need for proper safeguards to ensure that the health and safety of Idahoans and our environment are not threatened by merchant power projects proposed by developers attracted to Idaho by its lax regulations and pristine air and water quality.



Here's a quick glance at the committee's agenda for Tuesday:
- 9:15-10:30: Discussion of draft legislation to require new state buildings and major renovations of state buildings meet certain energy codes. A similar bill was killed by the House Energy Committee last session.
- 10:45-noon: Presentation on the proposed nuclear power plant. Witnesses include attorney and lobbyist Woody Richards, who represents AEHI in the Idaho Legislature; AEHI President Don Gillispie; and Ralph Bennett, director of International and Regional Partnerships at the Idaho National Laboratory. 
- 1:30-2:30: "Energy Happenings in the Region," presented by Michael Schilmoeller, senior power systems analyst at the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.
- 2:30-3 pm.: Discussion of the Bonneville Power Administration residential credits. Witnesses include Idaho Public Utilities Commission President Paul Kjellander and John Williams from BPA's Idaho office.
- 3:15-4 p.m.: Treasure Valley air emissions. Witnesses are Pete O'Neil, chairman of the Treasure Valley Air Quality Council, and Canyon County resident Charles Johnson.

The full agenda with a roster of interim committee members can be found, along with legislative contact information, at the Legislature's website at www.legislature.idaho.gov

Given that the Capitol is closed for renovations, this meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in Room 117 in the Capitol Annex - the old Ada County Courthouse just east of the Statehouse. Space in this temporary meeting room is very tight, so those hoping to find a seat should consider arriving early.




       
---------------------------------
Got a little couch potato? 
Check out fun summer activities for kids.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/vision2020/attachments/20070817/311e3b0d/attachment.html