Environmental groupspetition to make coal plant negotiations public

A coalition of environmental activists has asked the Department of Environmental Protection to open to the public negotiations to build coal-fired power plants in Nevada.

Three companies - Sierra Pacific Resources, Sithe Global and LS Power - are in discussions with state environmental regulators over what level of greenhouse gas emissions will be allowed from any coal-fired power plants constructed in the state. They are already drafting a memorandum of understanding setting out those standards.

"But to this point, the process has taken place behind closed doors," according to a letter issued by Nevadans for Clean, Affordable, Reliable Energy (NCARE).

The group said future regulations limiting carbon emissions are a near certainty because those plants emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. They argue that, in addition to the greenhouse gases, construction of coal power plants poses a huge financial risk for Nevada electric consumers.

They told NDEP Administrator Leo Drozdoff that Nevada residents and business owners deserve a voice in those negotiations.

"The worst thing for Nevada would be a toothless agreement to be thrown together in a back room," said Lydia Ball, Nevada representative for the Sierra Club and a spokesman for NCARE, in a statement.

In addition to the Sierra Club, NCARE includes Citizen Alert, the Nevada Conservation League, PLAN, Western Resource Advocates, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and the Bristlecone Alliance.