A company that wants to build a coal-fired power plant in Waterloo is asking the city to voluntarily annex the land. LS power would build the 750-megawatt station. Its affiliate company, Elk Run Energy, filed the request Tuesday. It would mean annexing almost 350 acres into the city. It would also change the zoning classification on that land from "agriculture" to "industrial." The request also listed potential impacts of the project, like to the economy, property values, and the environment.

Not everyone thinks the coal plant in Waterloo is a good idea. Opponents of the proposed plants in Waterloo and Marshalltown met in Des Moines Tuesday. The group wants the governor to put a moratorium on building any new plants. Dozens of people from Waterloo and Marshalltown are outraged over two coal plants proposed in their towns. They call the plants two steps backwards in the fight against global warming. Sierra Club Representative Mike Carberry said, “We need to look at renewable alternative energy and energy efficiency. Those are the two answers to global warming, not coal plants."

Lawmakers proposed a moratorium on new coal plants. But the debate got stuck in the funnel. Protesters are fighting for a new moratorium.

The proposed plant in Waterloo would be built on agricultural land. That irks farmers like Linda Huss. She said, “Farmers, especially in this state, we love our land. We want to be good stewards for our land and we just don't want transmission lines coming across them."

The Sierra Club went to the governor's office. They handed over dozens of letters written by people like Huss and Jeri Thornberry. They hope the governor will do what the senate could not. Thornberry said, “I have every confidence he will stick to his campaign words."

While running for governor, Chet Culver said he wanted Iowa to be the Silicon Valley of renewable energy. Coal plant opponents say it is time for the governor to put his pen where his mouth is and sign a moratorium on new plants.

There are a few state lawmakers who support the coal plants. They say global warming does not exist, and the plants would be good for the economy. Elk Run Associates has previously said its proposed plant in Waterloo would beat state and federal air quality requirements.