CEDAR FALLS -- Jim Pardoe doesn't like what he's hearing about the coal-fired power plant proposed east of Waterloo.

Pardoe, who lives near the proposed site, has questions concerning plans for Newell Street, as well as many other aspects of the project.

"The more I'm hearing about it, the more I'm against it," Pardoe said.

Pardoe sat in on a discussion panel held Tuesday at the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy and Environmental Education. LS Power, based in New Jersey, is proposing a 750-megawatt, coal-fired power plant to be built east of Waterloo along Newell Street. The estimated cost for the project is nearly $1.3 billion.

The panelists were Cedar Rapids attorney Carrie La Seur, UNI associate professor Lynn Brant, UNI professor Alan Czarnetzki and county resident Gail Mueller. The forum was lead by CEEE energy educator Pat Higby.

LS Power declined to participate in the panel, citing concerns the forum was coming too early in the project process. The company will hold informational meetings as it gets closer to the time to submit permit applications.

John Miller, a Black Hawk County supervisor, wasn't originally part of the panel, but was asked to share some thoughts on the project. He shared concerns about what the trains hauling coal for the plant will mean for Waterloo traffic.

Miller also told what the plant will mean for the area as far as tax revenues. The land for the plant is to be annexed into the city of Waterloo. Assuming the plant is running at 85 percent capacity, the city would receive more than $1.8 million in taxes per year, while an additional $1.5 million would be split among counties that have transmission lines running from the plant through their boundaries.

Mike Oberhauser, who lives adjacent to the proposed site, said the panelists made good points about the taxes. He is concerned about the annexation issues regarding the plant.

"I don't think the county has the same information LS Power is putting out to us," Oberhauser said.

Miller said his understanding was the city would annex along Newell Street to bring the property into the limits. Oberhauser said he has been told the city would annex along the railroad tracks.

The panel also addressed some of the environmental concerns that have been raised regarding the coal-fired plant. Much of the discussion centered around the need to gather information about this project as it becomes available and to ask questions when given the opportunity. Brant suggesting asking LS Power to put up $10 million to study the effects of the plant on Waterloo and the surrounding area.

"The public, the citizens of Northeast Iowa need accurate answers to hard questions," Brant said.

Contact RC Balaban at (319) 291-1418 or rc.balaban@wcfcourier.com.