Second Idaho nuclear plant proposal

[Idaho Statesman, 4 December] MidAmerican Nuclear Energy Co – a subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co of Des Moines, Iowa – is considering constructing a nuclear power plant in Payette County, Idaho. The company has been conducting geologic testing for seismic activity on about 33 hectares of private land in the area. It will also need to ensure there is sufficient water for the project and adequate transmission lines for the power produced. Bill Fehrman, president and chief nuclear officer for MidAmerican Nuclear, said, "We're in a very preliminary due diligence process to look at a potential energy project in Payette County." He added that a decision to buy the land and go forward with the plant probably would not be made until mid- to late-2008. MidAmerican owns and operates major utilities, including PacifiCorp and Rocky Mountain Power. It does not yet operate any nuclear power plants, but has experience of fossil fuel plants and renewable energy projects. This is the second proposal in the past year for a nuclear power plant in the state of Idaho. Alternate Energy Holdings Inc (AEHI) has proposed constructing a plant near Bruneau, Idaho, that would provide electricity for local farm co-op irrigation, but the majority of output will be sold in the national energy market. It could also be used to co-generate ethanol.

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