WEST UNION -- The Fayette County Board of Health has come out against a proposed coal-fired power plant near Waterloo.

The board passed a resolution calling for a moratorium on coal plants in the state last week. The Fayette County board joins health boards in Black Hawk and Johnson counties in opposing the plant.

The 750-megawatt plant, dubbed the Elk Run Energy Station, would be on Waterloo's northeast side. LS Power is based in New Jersey and is behind the project.

The resolution from Fayette County's health board urges the state to not issue permits for coal plants until more "extensive, safe and clean energy production methods" are available.

Board members voted unanimously to approve the resolution, citing concerns about Fayette County being downwind from the plant and the potential for an increase in respiratory diseases or other illnesses.

The resolution also expressed concern about how much coal-powered plants might contribute to air pollution or climate change. The board suggested stiffening state emission standards to reduce those effects.

Mark Milburn, project development manager for Elk Run Energy, said he was not aware of the board's actions.

"I haven't seen the resolution, so I don't know what it says," Milburn said.

The project is on track, according to company officials. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reviewing an air quality permit for the $1.3 billion plant. Among the criteria Elk Run Energy must meet is a requirement to show the facility will use the best-available technology to control hazardous emissions and show that exhaust will not diminish air quality in surrounding areas.

Amy Marlow, director of the Buchanan County Public Health Department, said board members will discuss the power plant issue at their meeting in January. At this point the board is just collecting information on the plant, she added.

Contact Josh Nelson at 291-1565 or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com.