JASON CLAYWORTH
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

Opponents of proposed new coal-powered plants in Marshalltown and Waterloo today pressured Gov. Chet Culver to prohibit the plants' construction.

Iowans will face greater health risks for such things as mercury exposure as well as lung and heart diseases if the plants are built, they said.

Culver, who this year said he wants Iowa to be the "Silicon Valley of the Midwest,” has a responsibility to put the kibosh on the plants, they said.

“When we look past the slick, well-financed marketing message of the coal industry, the evidence is unequivocal,” said Jeri Thornsberry, a Waterloo resident said to a group of protesters just outside Culver’s door at the Capitol. “Coal-burning power plants emit incredible amounts of pollutants that seriously threaten the health of those living within reach of their pollution.”

Culver did not make an appearance at the event. His spokesman, Brad Anderson, said the governor doesn't have the authority to halt the permit process.

"Governor Culver has encouraged Iowans on both sides of this issue to be a part of this process and to speak up at the public meetings," Anderson said in a written statement. "The governor appreciates the advocacy and hard work done by the Sierra Club and other groups involved; however, he is not authorized by law to impose a moratorium on an administrative proceeding such as obtaining a permit."


Advocates of the power plants said they are needed to maintain adequate energy supplies and affordable rates in Iowa. Without new energy generation, companies like Google that use large amounts of energy wouldn’t likely expand or building Iowa, they have said.
“A stay on coal-fired generation would be economically devastating for Iowa ratepayers and future economic development,” Mark Milburn, the project manager for the Waterloo proposal, said in an issued statement shortly after the event at the Capitol.
Today’s event was largely organized by the Iowa Sierra Club. The group’s members have collected dozens of letters from concerned Iowans they plan to deliver to the governor’s staff today.
At issue is a proposed coal-fired electric generating plants in Waterloo from LS Power and another from Alliant Energy in Marshalltown.

Both plants have faced intense opposition from health and environment advocates who fear they would emit excessive amounts of gases that many scientists believe are a main cause of global warming.

The $1 billion to $1.5 billion plant proposal in Marshalltown is still under review by state officials. That plant would generate enough power for 472,500 homes and businesses and would open in 2013. Alliant Energy representatives couldn’t immediately be reached for comment today.

The Waterloo plant’s construction permit was rejected earlier this month by state officials who said it wasn’t properly zoned. LS Power is working with the state in hopes of overturning that ruling to the $1.5 billion proposal. The plant would provide power to up to 500,000 homes.