PAYETTE - The developer of a proposed nuclear plant near Payette faced tough questions about safety, traffic, water and future quality of life in his first public meeting on Thursday.
Residents peppered Bill Fehrman, president of MidAmerican Nuclear Energy Co., with questions colored by their skepticism since learning about the plant proposed northeast of this lower Treasure Valley city near the confluence of the Payette and Snake rivers.
Fehrman promised the restless crowd of more than 400 people at Payette High School more answers as the company moves closer to a decision on whether to build the plant, a decision it hopes to make by next fall.
The big issue in this desert agricultural community is water.
"Where are we going to get the water when even our farmers can't get enough?" asked Kurt Key, a Payette carpenter.
The reactor would use an estimated 25,000 acre-feet of water annually, more than a quarter of the water stored in Lucky Peak Reservoir, Fehrman said. The company has several options for buying it and is studying strategies to get the water at the least cost and without hurting existing water users, he said.
Walt Bosse, a retired cement plant supervisor, worries about what environmental safeguards the company will take.
"If they have a problem, they're going to flood the reactor," Bosse said. "What are they going to do with that water?"
Fehrman said many of the details will come later when the company decides what reactor it will use and after nearly a year of studies planned even before the company decides to move forward. Then the project will face a four-year review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which will look closely at environmental hazards.
If MidAmerican decides to go forward next year, it could be another 12 years before electricity is produced.
Not everyone was negative. Duane Youngberg, who owns a heating and cooling business in Payette, said he was excited about the economic potential the plant presents. And he wasn't worried about the plant's safety.
"I pulled up a map of nuclear sites," Youngberg said. "The East Coast is dotted with them. What do we have to be afraid of?"
Radiation, said Twin Falls anti-nuclear activist Peter Rickards. He urged residents to push their lawmakers to pass laws to stop the plant and was applauded by part of the crowd when he said, "Let's not let it into Idaho."
Residents near the proposed site expressed concerns about traffic and land values. Nicole and Phil Hyatt lost a buyer for their home when the news of the plant became public Dec. 4.
One Payette native had waited for years for this day to arrive.
Former Sen. James McClure was one of nuclear power's strongest advocates as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee. Now he is a consultant for MidAmerican.
The current assessed valuation of Payette County is just over $1 billion, he told the crowd. A nuclear plant could add $8 billion to $10 billion in assessed value, which could mean great economic benefits.
"It's a very, very good deal for Payette County," McClure said.
Tim Kennedy of New Plymouth was not convinced. The plant site is one of his favorite hunting spots. He said he worried about living downwind.
"You'll see me on horseback with a protest sign wherever you go," he said to a round of applause.
But a few voices chimed in saying, "Speak for yourself."
Others talked about the need for power and new domestic energy supplies. Despite the tough questions and local concerns, McClure said he was optimistic about nuclear power: "I think the country is ready."
Rocky Barker: 377-6484
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