Residents oppose power project

Tuesday, July 2, 2002 | 8:32 a.m.

A power plant proposed near Goodsprings -- and hotly opposed by some Goodsprings residents -- could get a hearing Wednesday.

The Clark County Commission must approve zoning to allow the power plant to go forward on 36 acres of federal land between Goodsprings and Interstate 15, about 25 miles south of Las Vegas. The natural gas-fired plant would produce about 500 megawatts, enough power for about 250,000 homes in Southern Nevada during summer months.

Goodsprings has about 300 residents according to the 2000 census.

Diamond Generating, a subsidiary of Japan-based multinational Mitsubishi Corp., first asked the commission for approval in early April.

But the commission, including Commissioner Erin Kenny, held the issue to give time for the company to work with residents to alleviate community concerns.

But Goodsprings resident Liz Warren said the company has not done so.

"They haven't worked out any of the problems with the people of Goodsprings," she said.

Warren is chairwoman of the Goodsprings Citizens Advisory Council, which advises the commission on land-use issues affecting the area. She said concerns include the impact of traffic, construction and air quality from the plant.

The Goodsprings council and the Clark County planning staff have both recommended denying the zoning application for the plant, dubbed the Ivanpah Energy Center.

Planning staff's recommendation said the land use was incompatible for the area and approval could create air quality problems for the planned Ivanpah airport nearby.

Carrie MacDougall, Clark County Air Quality Management assistant director, said her department has not evaluated the air quality impact of the project. That assessment will come after and if the project receives the proper zoning.

But MacDougall said it is appropriate for the county commissioners to consider the impact the project might have on air quality and the planned airport before making a decision.

"It is incumbent upon our elected officials to make decisions regarding all of our natural resources," she said.

Representatives from Diamond Generating did not return calls Monday. The company in April said failure to pass the zoning soon would endanger the plant.

The company had planned to break ground on the $400 million power plant in January and go on line with electricity two years later.