Nev. Plants Sign Pollution Control Deal

The memorandums of understanding, or MOUs, between the state Division of Environmental Protection and Sierra Pacific Resources, LS Power Associates and Sithe Global Power require the improvements in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The agreements signed Tuesday also require the three coal-fired power plants to be designed so they can be retrofitted with technology to limit greenhouse gases.

NDEP Administrator Leo Drozdoff also sent a separate letter to the head of a coalition of environmental groups that took part in a review the agreements, saying the coalition's comments led to a few minor changes but otherwise "it appears we may have to simply agree to disagree."

Drozdoff told Charles Benjamin, head of Nevadans for Clean, Affordable, Reliable Energy, that the state is "proceeding with the permitting process for the three proposed power plants, setting forth all applicable environmental requirements for the plants."

The coalition also includes the Nevada Conservation League, Western Resources Advocates, the Bristlecone Alliance and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada.

In September, the Nevada Environmental Commission rejected a petition from the coalition trying to stop the three companies from constructing the plants unless they control carbon dioxide emissions.

But NDEP was ordered to draw up MOUs requiring the companies to make technological improvements when practical. Representatives of the three companies said the technology to capture carbon dioxide won't be available at a reasonable price until at least 2017.

Carbon dioxide emissions are produced when power plants burn coal to generate electricity. Some scientists contend it is the key greenhouse gas emission that causes global warming.

Drozdoff has said the MOUs "go well beyond good-faith efforts and require real commitments and actions by the companies."

But Benjamin has said the coalition had some major concerns about the agreements. He questioned whether they're legally enforceable and who would determine what's economically feasible.