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Home > Archive > Mar 6, 2008

Commission Rethinks Toquop Decision
By James Eardley
County Commissioner
On November the 27 of last year, the Washington County Commission issued a statement of conditional support for the proposed Toquop power generation facility in neighboring Lincoln County, Nev. Many of you have questioned the wisdom of Sithe Global’s proposal for a coal-fired plant at that site. The majority of the feedback from you can be categorized into three broad concerns. They are:
1.  Green initiatives
2.  Coal as an energy source
3.  Toquop’s proximity to large population centers.
Let me address each.
Green Initiatives
Conservation should be our first step in being wise energy stewards. It is inexpensive and returns immediate dividends by lowering costs. Using compact fluorescent bulbs and energy-efficient appliances, and remembering to turn off items when not in use will save money and help protect our environment.
Did you know that at the present time, most consumers in Washington County can optionally purchase blocks of “green” power from their utility supplier? Electricity from renewable sources typically costs more than conventionally generated electricity but is environmentally friendlier. Rocky Mountain Power, for example, is extremely pleased with the success of its “Blue Sky” program. Some of our communities also offer impact-fee incentives and other inducements to consumers who purchase and install photovoltaic systems.
Coal as an Energy Source
Utah’s coal has a bright future in light of modern technology advances that promise to drastically curtail the emission of pollutants, even including carbon dioxide (CO2). We support continued research and development into “Clean Coal Technology.” Our domestic coal reserves may also provide us with a safe and radiation-free alternative to nuclear power. Utah has abundant energy resources, and developing these resources in an environmentally responsible way will lessen our dependence on foreign oil, provide jobs, and enhance our nation’s security.
Toquop’s Proposed Site
When making difficult decisions, overall impacts have to be carefully assessed and evaluated. While cost and convenience are important considerations in any decision-making process, they are just two variables. Similarly, Sithe Global’s decision to use coal instead of natural gas may seem economically sound to them. However, their decision to change fuels is a significant one and introduces many other variables that significantly alter the original proposal and its impact on nearby communities.
Utah’s Department of Environmental Quality has expressed some reservation to the current proposal. The current site was initially chosen because of its proximity to a large natural gas pipeline. Since Sithe is no longer considering natural gas as the energy source, other locations are probably more suitable for the proposed facility and should be considered – especially in light of their desire to burn coal. As such, we are no longer in support of the Toquop proposal in its current location.
We have initiated an energy dialogue with our communities and local electrical utility vendors to understand and better appreciate energy-related issues in Washington County. Working together with other members of this committee, we will study and explore energy solutions along with future trends and emerging technologies. We’ll share what we learn.
Thank you for your well-written and thoughtful comments that we’ve received regarding this issue.

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