White Pine County Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to forward PLUAC's concerns about the proposed Ely Energy Center on to the Bureau of Land Management.

PLUAC is the county's Public Land Use Advisory Commission.

Sierra Pacific Resources has identified a site near the Duck Creek turnoff as its preferred location for the planned coal-fired power plant. But PLUAC has recommended that the facility should be moved further north.

In addition to its concerns about the company's preferred site, PLUAC has asked for further consideration of potential impacts the plant could have on air quality, water, wildlife and livestock grazing in the surrounding area.

The BLM is currently accepting public comments on the proposed facility as part of its scoping process. Those comments, which may be submitted to the BLM by Feb. 26, will be included in an environmental analysis of the company's proposal.

White Pine County Commission Chairman Brent Eldridge said he would withhold judgment on the preferred site proposal until he has seen more information.

“I think it's a little too early to say we don't want it right there,” he said.

Critics of the preferred site have argued that it is too close to Duck Creek Valley and the scenic Schell Creek Range. However, other county residents objected to an earlier proposal, arguing that it was too far away from Ely, Eldridge said.

“You're not going to please everybody no matter where you put it,” Eldridge said.

Sierra Pacific Resources Director of Project Development David Sims told commissioners that the company selected the site near the Duck Creek turnoff partly because it was some distance away from Ely. At the same time, however, the site would still be accessible to company employees and within easy reach of services in town, he said. In comparison, Sierra Pacific Power Company has had problems attracting workers to its power plant in Valmy due to that facility's remote location, he said.

Duck Creek Valley resident Judy Bourbeau told commissioners that she would prefer a location to the north. The turnoff near the preferred site is the gateway to a pristine area, she said.

In other actions, commissioners voted to:

-- Ratify a collective bargaining agreement with the White Pine County Sheriff's Association regarding employment conditions, subject to final union approval within 45 days;

-- Approve a memorandum of understanding with Karla Jones for ambulance billing services;

-- Approve a $169,520 bid from Carson Unlimited for the Ruth Water Pipeline Replacement Project. Commissioner Laurie Carson abstained from voting on the matter;

-- Modify a Community Development Block Grant application for the Ruth Sewer Ponds Project. Quadra Mining will donate approximately 20 acres that would enable the community to expand the sewage ponds, which are currently operating near capacity;

-- Hold hour-long public meetings once a week during the Nevada Legislature's 2007 session beginning March 2. The meetings are usually held each Friday at noon in the county commission's chambers at 953 Campton Street. Participants will have opportunities to discuss their concerns and ask questions about legislative issues;

-- Approve a request to hold the second annual Fears, Tears and Beers mountain bike event in White Pine County on June 9. This year's event will begin at Broadbent Park and includes a round-trip ride up Ice Plant Canyon;

-- Close Clark Street between 8th and 10th streets and 8th Street from Aultman to Clark streets on May 16 and again on Sept. 14 for the Silver State Classic Challenge.