Idaho Says "No" To Coal-Fired Power Plants

"The federal rule sets a cap for mercury emissions and allows polluters who reduce mercury emissions to trade credits for those reductions to other companies who want to build power plants elsewhere. Idaho is one of three states which do not have coal-fired power plants, so opting into the program would allow a power plant builder to buy credits from elsewhere to emit mercury in Idaho."

"Mercury is a poisonous metal that threatens kidneys, and the nervous, digestive and respiratory systems, especially of young children....Idaho's largest sources of mercury come from outside the state."

"This is a very important step in protecting Idaho's environment and the people that call Idaho home," Risch said. "There are companies that have tried to build coal-fired plants in Idaho and would continue to try if we would have opted in."

"Lawmakers approved a moratorium on coal-fired electric plants last winter in part because of concerns over mercury emissions from the proposed coal plant near Jerome. Magic Valley residents banded together to stop the power plant."

"Obviously clean air and water are a nonpartisan issue," said Democratic Sen. Clint Stennett of Ketchum, one of the earliest opponents to the plant. "What the governor has done today is show out-of-state merchant plants they cannot bring their poison to Idaho."