Sierra Pacific is not bound by its promise to develop "clean" coal technology at the plants - it's only contractually required to add the technology when it is "economically viable."
And although Sierra Pacific President Michael Yackira has said the opening of the Ely plants would lead to the closure of older Nevada coal plants that release more pollutants than their modern counterparts, that is not a condition of building the Ely plants.
Even the cleanest coal plant will emit some carbon into the air and particulate pollution into one of the country's most pristine rural areas (as well as the lungs of its residents).
Not to mention the environmental effect of mining and transporting the coal to Northern Nevada.
Attack on Sierra Pacific misses mark
