Commission delays hydro-plant action

Thursday, May 3, 2001 | 10:42 a.m.

A proposed new water-powered energy storage plant planned for the Blue Diamond hills is at least another two weeks away from approval by the Clark County Commissioners.

Blue Diamond Power Partners, a consortium headed by a St. George, Utah-based engineering firm, asked for a two-week hold on the company's application at Wednesday's zoning meeting of the county commissioners.

The company has planned since the late 1980s to build a pair of water reservoirs to be used in the generation of hydroelectric power that would be stored for peak-demand times.

The local arm of the Sierra Club appealed last month's Planning Commission approval, forcing the company to seek additional approvals from the full County Commission. The company has asked for permits to allow the generating station and accompanying power transmission lines and a waiver of landscaping requirements.

Ed Garcia, an attorney representing the company, said the company asked for the additional time to line up environmental advisers on the issue.

The issue should go before the commission May 16.