Large-output, carbon-free power plant would stimulate thousands of jobs
– By Stephen Heiser –
Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. Idaho's Elmore Commission voted unanimously to send AEHI's rezone request for a proposed advanced nuclear power plant back to the Planning and Zoning Committee, asking it to amend the county's comprehensive plan to allow a heavy-industrial zone five miles west of Hammett, Idaho for the power plant.
In deliberations Monday, Commissioner Connie Cruser said the current discussion reminds her of 40 years ago, when her high school debate team discussed the Hells Canyon Dam and Hydro Station, which is Idaho's largest power plant at nearly 400 megawatts. (It is also Idaho's last base load power plant.)
"The very same questions were discussed back then: water and farmland and infrastructure," Cruser said. "It was an important decision then and I'm glad they made the right decision because we've had a lot of years of electricity. This is an important decision not just for Elmore County, but the state and region."
AEHI CEO and President Don Gillispie said the commission is clearly seeking to balance Elmore County's rural heritage with its goals for economic development. Gillispie has previously said the county's comprehensive plan is well-intentioned, but could not have foreseen the possibility of a large-output, carbon-free power plant that would stimulate thousands of jobs.