FLASHPOINT for Aug 19, 2007

Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007 | 1:15 a.m.

Watch for this political story to make the summer dol- drums hotter and much more interesting: A partisan war over coal, with Sierra Pacific/Nevada Power caught in the middle. It started with Sen. Harry Reid, apparently having feverish dreams about coal's evils, suddenly coming out against rural plants. He was immediately challenged by Gov. Jim Gibbons, who suggested he supported the plants. Rep. Jon Porter also said he believes the plants should be built. Then Reid stepped it up a notch, declaring they "will never be built." Now what? If the Senate majority leader makes such a pledge, you know he is going to back it up. So far the power companies have been powerless. But my guess is they have to turn it on pretty soon.

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