CITYDESK/NEWS GEOR GE PR ENTIC E
NEWS to scientific studies that conclude that carbon sion, but coal remains an integral part emissions trigger more rapid global warming of Idaho Power’s electricity generation and growing public and corporate support for plan for at least the next 20 years. Here is the outlook for each of these fewer coal-powered generators. “We use products that are environmentally plants: sensitive, particularly in reNevada—The North gard to electricity,” said RobValmy plant has not been not ert Hart, former president of required to install controls Kennedy Wilson Multifamily for regional haze. The plant is Management Group, who scheduled for retirement. recently launched an investOregon (Boardman ment firm called TruAmerica plant)—This plant is Multifamily that focuses on scheduled to close in 2020; acquiring, managing and it is required to control A megawatt (MW) is 1,000 rehabilitating housing in the haze-forming sulfur dioxide kilowatts (KW) or 1 million watts. Powering a 100-watt Western U.S. to become more and nitrogen oxides in the light bulb for four hours conefficient. interim. sumes 400 watt hours (WH) “Many municipalities Wyoming—In June, the of energy. The average home give incentives for energy U.S. Environmental Protecin the Idaho Power service area consumes 1,050 kiloconservation. It is definitely tion Agency proposed to parwatt hours (KWH) per month a driving force in residential tially approve and partially or 12,600 KWH per year. construction and the compodisapprove the state plan for nentry that goes into apartaddressing regional haze. ments. We certainly make The agency also proposed a every effort to do things federal plan to cover deficienwhere we can,” he said. cies in the state plan, until Hart said as his company the state plan can be fully In 2012 Idaho Power served markets to generations X and approved. The plan would 416,020 residential customY; they seek LEED certifirequire controls on the Jim ers, 66,039 commercial and cation because “that’s the Bridger plant. industrial customers, and 19,045 irrigation customers. demand.” Idaho Power does have Plans for coal-fired solusome forward-looking tions to Idaho’s electricity language on its website, demand, according to planextolling some examples of ning documents published in efficiencies, but the company Demand Response (DR) 2009, pushed parent comalso steadfastly defends its is defined by the Federal pany IDACORP shareholddependency on coal: Energy Regulatory Commisers to recommend a carbon “Coal is nature’s energy sion as “changes in electric reduction plan. The aim was storehouse. This geologic usage by end-use customers from their normal consumpto keep emissions under 2005 legacy is the foundation of tion patterns in response levels through this year. The Idaho Power’s three coalto changes in the price of company says it has achieved fired plants: the Jim Bridger electricity over time, or to the goal, although emissions Power Plant in Wyoming, incentive payments designed to induce lower electricare already higher this year the Boardman Coal Plant ity use at times of high than in 2012, when hydroin Oregon, and the North wholesale market prices or electric production was more Valmy Generating Station when system reliability is robust and more DR was in Nevada. These facilities jeopardized.” employed. The company has convert one of nature’s most extended the goal of keeping bountiful energy sources into emissions below 2005 levels reliable, low-cost electricity through 2015, but coal is while adhering to some of the still central to meeting peak strictest standards for protectdemand. ing the environment.” Idaho Conservation On average, coal is the Although there are no League spokesman Ben fuel source for producing coal-burning power plants Otto, aka “Captain Kiloabout one-third of Idaho in Idaho, Idaho Power does watt,” stood before an Aug. Power’s electricity. Although own a portion of three coalburning plants in Nevada, 19 public workshop at the the company talks about Oregon and Wyoming (see headquarters of Idaho Power improving efficiency, greenidahopower.com/aboutus/ and asked: “Is that a smart power advocates say that energysources/coal). investment? Should we invest the company could be doing in or phase out coal? more to move forward with Otto told Boise Weekly energy production that will that it would help to envision take less of a toll on the an older model car. environment. The pressure is “It needs new brakes, a new muffler,” turning the ship around, as one might gather Otto told BW. “It’s very easy to nickel and even from Idaho Power’s language about effidime yourself to death. Maybe it’s time for a ciency and alternative power source planning, new approach and stop chasing good money but advocates like ICL simply want that ship after bad and start investing in wholly cleaner to turn faster. resources.” The Snake River Alliance and ICL point 8
John Elliott (right) is flanked by his Boise-based attorney Andrew Chasan (left).
JOHN DOE NO MORE His name is John Elliott. No longer silent or anonymous, Elliott told Boise Weekly that soon enough, his work colleagues and even some family members would learn what happened to him 36 years ago. “I’ve only told a handful of people. It’s not something you really want to share.” Elliott is one of eight Idaho men, seven of them choosing to remain anonymous as “John Doe,” suing the Boy Scouts of America and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for not adequately protecting them as boys when they were, according to the suit, victims of sexual abuse. The suit, initially filed in June, was amended to include more plaintiffs, including Elliott. “The basis of the lawsuit is fraud,” said Boise-based attorney Andrew Chasan. “[The Boy Scouts and LDS Church] knowingly didn’t disclose problems with pedophiles that had infiltrated their ranks.” Elliott said he was molested in 1977 at Camp Morrison in McCall. That’s where he said one of his scout leaders, James Schmidt, insisted that Elliott stay in Schmidt’s tent. “He said there was a wolverine outside. He was creating complete fear,” said Elliott, who added that other scouts told him that they too had been abused by Schmidt. Elliott immediately quit the scouts while his mother sent a series of letters of complaint to the BSA, but two years later, Schmidt was spotted at the Boise Zoo with more boys in his charge. “He was there with uniformed Cub Scouts, and I became very angry,” said Elliott. “I went and bought a Coke, poured it over his head and took off running.” Elliott said he spotted Schmidt later at Julia Davis Park fondling another little boy. “I kicked him in the butt as hard as I could,” he said. “Again, we reported this to the Boy Scouts, but I understand that he continued to lead scouts after that.” Schmidt was eventually convicted of sexually related crimes against children in 1983 in Idaho and in 1996 in Maryland. “In preparation for this lawsuit, we were able to document 16 different pedophiles from 1964 through 2000 here in Southern Idaho,” said Chasan. “In addition to Schmidt, there were three other pedophiles that molested plaintiffs in this lawsuit.” Chasan told BW that he expected the litigation to take at least a year. The plaintiffs are seeking damages to be determined by a jury. Chasan said that he expected the list of plaintiffs to grow, sooner than later. “We already have two more people,” he said. “There will be at least 10 plaintiffs.” —George Prentice
10 | SEPTEMBER 18–24, 2013 | BOISEweekly
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