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AEHI rezone hearings get underway
The first of four Elmore County Planning and Zoning Commission public hearings regarding Alternative Energy Holdings, Inc.'s request to rezone approximately 1,345 acres of Agricultural A zoned property to Heavy Industrial to build a nuclear power plant on the land got underway last Wednesday.
Following the commission's predetermined schedule of events, AEHI presented their case to the body and comments from the audience were limited to those who were in support of the applicant or were neutral.
However, approximately 20 people held signs in protest outside the school before and after the hearing. Those attending the meeting also had to go though a security check point.
Mark Pecchenino, president of the planning and consulting firm Pecchenino and Associates, Inc., presented the proposal on behalf of AEHI.
Before he spoke, moderator Jerry Mason made it clear to the audience the commission's decision must be based on how the rezone would affect the county's comprehensive plan and specifically address two questions:
1) Would a change in zoning of the subject site from Agriculture A to Heavy Industry be in accordance with the comprehensive plan; and,
2) Does the proposed development agreement appropriately limit uses in the requested Heavy Industry Zone, if the change were to be approved?
Pecchenino acknowledged that distinction early in the presentation and largely stayed away from any details related to running a nuclear plant on the site.
Pecchenino told the board the rezone would meet the county's economic goals by providing $2.2 billion in gross domestic product during the on-site facility assembly and construction to local businesses. In addition, 3,785 jobs a year at an average of $56,000 salary for on-site workers and $67,000 for manufacturing and component assembly employees would be created, Pecchenino said, as part of the $558 million in local payroll and labor and $204 million in local "ripple effect" payroll income created by construction and assembly of the plant.
AEHI estimates it will pay $53.2 million a year in property taxes. Elmore County's annual budget is $14.3 million.
If approved, Pecchenino said the rezone would provide a sustainable employment base centered between Mountain Home and Glenns Ferry.
Pecchenino talked about how the rezone would comply with the county's land use goals and objectives.
The proposed industry zone would create approximately 1,000 year-round jobs with average salaries between $56,000-80,000 Peccheninio said.
He said the rezone is compatible with all lifestyles and presented examples of several power plants in various locations to support his claim.
Pecchenino said AEHI is proposing a "green solution" to meet the county's air quality goals and objectives, contending nuclear energy production releases no harmful greenhouse gasses and will ensure a clean environment.
Pecchenino also discussed how the rezone would satisfy the county's public services and utilities needs by providing a "green" power production facility and solution and by supporting the improvement of public services such as fire, police and school facilities.
The land rezone would foster economic development, new business, fund public services, provide well-paying jobs and economic sustainability near and around the Hammett community, meeting the county's goal to support and solicit new business to locate in Hammett and which enhances the livability of the community, Pecchenino said.
Power plants are required to be zoned as Heavy Industrial but AEHI contends their nuclear plant meets the definition of a Light Industrial Zone because the plant will generate power in an enclosed structure under a controlled operation that emits no hazardous or objectionable elements, smoke, noise, odor or dust with little industrial traffic.
After the applicant's presentation, the floor was opened to members of the audience who supported the plan. Only three audience members spoke to the board.
Audience members who supported the plan said the plant would support energy independence, create jobs while not affecting farmland around the plant and might give recent high school graduates a reason to stay in Elmore County.
"This is the first step in what is going to be a large significant process," Johncox said. "The ultimate assessment of tonight will have to wait until Nov. 5. I think we laid a good foundation on how the application works with Elmore County's Comprehensive Plan."
If the application to rezone the land is successful, AEHI will then apply for a conditional use permit before construction can begin on the plant.
If the land is rezoned and the power plant is not able to be built on the land, the land will be rezoned back to Agricultural A land, Pecchenino said.
The hearing was the first of four the planning and zoning commission will hear. The commission will have until Nov. 11 to reach a decision or request an additional 30-day extension.
The next hearing is Oct. 22. Neutral or opposition groups are scheduled to speak at it. Groups will have ten minutes to speak or may yield allotted time to another group.
The Boise Astronomical Society is the only neutral group scheduled to speak. Citizens Living in the Snake River Valley; Long Time Elmore County/Hammett/Indian Cove Residents; Snake River Rats; Farmers and Ranchers from Hammett/Indian Cove Area; Concerned Healthcare Workers; Elmore Citizens Against Loss of our Rural Lands; Idaho Rivers United; Serria Club, Middle Snake Group; I.C.A.R.E, Treasure Valley Agaisnt Nuclear Reactors; Idaho Families for Safest Energy; Land Air Water Sustainability (L.A.W.S.); and the Snake River Alliance are scheduled to speak in opposition of the application.
On Oct. 29, individuals in opposition will speak and on Nov. 5 AEHI will have the chance for rebuttal.
All hearings are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at the Mountain Home Junior High Commons.
Planning and zoning commissioner Patti Osborn excused herself from the hearings to avoid any potential conflicts of interest since she is an Idaho Power employee.
If the remaining six members vote in a tie, that vote will result in a "no" recommendation from the board.
The Snake River Alliance plans to attend each hearing.
"There are still a lot of unanswered questions," executive director Andrea Shipley said. "We believe nuclear power isn't a viable option in Idaho for many reasons. We intend to be present throughout rest of the process to get those questions answered."
The commission will make a recommendation to the Board of Elmore County Commissioners who will then hold hearings of their own before making a decision.