JEROME -- If the state can't step in, maybe the region can.

That's at least one idea circulating among Magic Valley residents when talk turns to locating a 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Jerome County.

And, that was one thought crossing the mind of local environmentalist Lee Halper when he filed an appeal Tuesday regarding Jerome County Planning and Zoning's approval of a meteorological tower for Sempra Generation -- a permit that signifies initial progress toward siting a coal-fired plant northeast of Jerome.

The company would gather data not only on weather conditions at the station but also existing air quality conditions. The station would monitor some pollutants that have been linked to respiratory illness and environmental damage such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and ozone, but it will not monitor mercury and ammonia -- two pollutants that local residents wanted examined.

Halper hopes that Jerome County commissioners will overturn the planning and zoning commission's decision, allowing time for a regional planning and zoning commission to be formed before Sempra submits its request again.

Because Idaho lacks state oversight in the process of locating, or siting, large power plants, the final say on such matters falls to county commissioners. Residents, like Halper, believe that power plants pose issues that cross county lines.

Sen. Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, who was unaware of Halper's interest in forming a regional commission, said that Idaho statutes allow for joint planning and zoning commissions.

"There is an ability to form a joint agreement between counties," Stennett said

Joint committees have been formed in siting landfills, Stennett said. The provision has also been used to encourage cooperation between government entities over 911 dispatch services, he said.

Stennett has been working to craft legislation that would establish state oversight. He hopes to introduce a bill that would include an emergency clause that would affect Sempra. The intention of such legislation would allow input from neighboring counties and state agencies.

"I think this is a legitimate state issue," he said.

However, in lieu of a state siting commission, Stennett considers a regional commission the best alternative.

Jerome County commissioners retain the authority to determine whether a joint commission is formed -- either at the request of officials of other counties or of their own volition.

Representatives of other counties have not contacted Jerome County about forming a regional planning and zoning commission on Sempra permits and issues, said Veronica Lierman, chairwoman of the Jerome County commissioners. Lierman would not comment on whether the commission would consider such a request.

Bob Morgado, Gooding County commissioner, said he would be open to discussing forming a regional commission with fellow commissioners but had not received a request from residents to do so. Twin Falls County commissioners were in a similar position, Commissioner Gary Grindstaff said.

Next week, Jerome County commissioners will decide whether to waive transcription fees as part of Halper's appeal. The county requires the person filing an appeal to provide transcripts of previous meetings on the matter. The transcription fee in this case is estimated at $800. If the commissioners agree to waive this fee, they will then schedule an appeal hearing.

Times-News reporter Michelle Dunlop can be reached at 735-3237 or by e-mail at mdunlop@magicvalley.com