FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS

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SUPPORT FOR THE NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE FOR THE EIS ON THE PROPOSED WHITE PINE ENERGY STATION, NEVADA

The Bureau of Land Management is now preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed White Pine Energy Station north of Ely, Nevada. This proposal is for a 1000-1600 megawatt coal-fired power plant to send energy to southern Nevada and possibly southern California.

A power line corridor exists here, but a power line would have to be built if this project is to go forward. Scoping concerns include:

...use of water needed by wildlife (perhaps as much as 20,000 acre-ft./year);

...impacts on air quality of some of the most pristine air in the United States, including Eastern White Pine county, the Great Basin National Park, and the west desert of Utah;

...and emissions of sulfur dioxide, mercury and carbon dioxide.

Alternatives to supply the energy that might be generated at this plant, such as wind and solar power, have not been considered, nor has energy conservation in the populated areas of southern Nevada.

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs recommends the selection of the "no action" alternative in the environmental impact statement for the White Pine Energy Station because of the adverse effects which such a plant would have on the air and water of the area.

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