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Groups Act to Protect Water from Energy Developers
Commissioners in Kootenai County, Idaho
, last month formally opposed two new power plants and one expanded facility proposed near Rathdrum
. The commissioners joined officials across the state line in Eastern Washintgon
who called for an in-depth study of potential impacts to local air and water resources.
A coalition of environmental and labor groups recently delivered a petition with more than 800 signatures to Governor Dirk Kempthorne
asking for a moratorium on large industrial construction projects impacting the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer
. Spokane already has a moratorium in place.
The Kootenai Environmental Alliance
and REBOUND
, a construction labor union, intervened in proceedings before the state Department of Water Resources
. Public hearings on the 1300 MW gas plant proposed by Newport Northwest
and another 800 MW facility proposed by Cogentrix
concluded last month. Avista Utilities
also applied for an additional 2.8 million gallons of water a day for expansion of its existing peak generating plant.
The three power plants would draw 20 million gallons each day from the aquifer — the sole source of drinking water for 400,000 residents. The Chambers of Commerce
in Coeur d’Alene
and Spokane
are working on a $3 million Environmental Protection Agency
grant to fund an aquifer study.
Lon Peters
, president of Northwest Economic Research Inc.
in Portland
, told the hearing officer that Newport’s proposal is speculative, something prohibited by state water laws. Peters, speaking as an expert witness for opponents, said the market for new power plants is limited now and noted the company has not secured financing for the project. A decision on water permits from the Idaho Department of Water Resources is expected in the upcoming months.
—
Corinne Hollister