PSC OKs building of natural gas power plant

Friday, Sept. 19, 1997 | 11:12 a.m.

The Nevada Public Service Commission today granted a permit to build a natural gas power plant near Boulder City.

The PSC asked El Dorado, the energy company planning to build the plant about 15 miles southwest of Boulder City, to report on its progress on obtaining all other permits to build by Oct. 1.

After that date, the PSC does not have the authority for review because utility deregulation is coming to Nevada. The Nevada Legislature eliminated such project reviews this year.

The PSC conducted two public hearings focused on the project on Sept. 2, hearing from angry Boulder City residents who did not want the plant built.

More than 1,000 Boulder City residents opposed the power plant, saying it would add pollution to the air.

The Clark County Health District has already issued a permit to build the plant. Although 190 tons of oxides of nitrogen and 100 tons of carbon monoxide will spew into the air each year, the Health District requires El Dorado to remove 2 tons for every ton it puts into the air.

The new power plant plans to consume natural gas from existing Southwest Gas Corp. lines.

It also proposes to add a solar generating component to the 475-megawatt natural gas-fired cycle.

The plant will spread across 138 acres of undeveloped Mojave Desert.