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KANAB — A group of residents is steamed over a possible coal gasification test plant, organizing a Facebook page called "Kanab Cares," and mounting other public education campaigns.
It is expected that the critics of plans by California-based Viresco Energy will show up to a 6:30 p.m. Tuesday planning and zoning meeting at Kanab Middle School. It is there the six-member city board will consider whether the plant's site plan meets the criteria for light manufacturing. An open house hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the school on Wednesday.
Mayor Nina Laycook said the city is being sued by a taxpayers' group that claims the city failed to properly notice changes to its master plan last year, a charge she denies. Residents opposed to the project fear harmful effects to air and water, but she said those are concerns weighed by regulatory agencies.
The proposal by Viresco involves construction of a plant on 10 acres of leased school trust lands property. The plant would test the conversion of coal and other carbon-based materials into natural gas by using a combination of steam and pressure.
Email:aodonoghue@ksl.com
