The long-debated Kaiparowits power project faces another time of decision with Interior Secretary Thomas Kleppe reported due for a pronouncement some time this mdnth. Kleppe yielded Thursday to a request by Gov. Calvin L. Hampton, members of Utah’s congressional delegation and others to come west to inspect the Kaiparowits site before deciding. He is expected to make ground and aerial inspections about April 20. The project was tumed down three years ago by former Interior Secretary Rogers Morton on grounds it would cause air pollution over some of the nations choice park areas. Opposition has come largely from environmental groups. Power companies from California and Arizona reapplied for approval. A draft environmental impact statement was issued last year and the National Park Service recently released its objections, saying the plant would cause visual pollution over Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Capital Reef, and other park – recreation areas. Kleppe’s decision will be critical. If negative, it could seal the fate of major coal fired generating plants m Utah for years. Govemor Rampton says he doesn’t think there are any sites in the state for a power plant that would bum coal from Kaiparowits Plateau which could meet the objections brought by the Park Service. The governor put the question in focus when he indicated the Park Service evaluation, if adopted, could make much of Utah a “nice place to visit, but impossible to live in,” incapable of supporting the residents. He criticized the report as “ill-prepared and ill-reasoned.” The report also was rapped by members of Utah’s congressional delegation. Only a few weeks ago a large delegation of Utahns went to Washington lobbying for Kaiparowits. The group was spearheaded by the Kane County Planning Commission and traveled by bus, holding informational meetings along the way. Obviously, the proposed development would mean a great deal to the southern part of the state. Although recognizing some merit in the concems of environmentalists who oppose the project, the Herald feels the economic reasons dominate. We believe that with application of modern technology, air pollution can be controlled to a great extent as it has been controlled in other projects. Given a chance, Kaiparowits can bolster the nation’s energy supply besides bringing economic benefits to many people. So They Say “It is quite obvious that there are certain inherently governmental actions winch, if undertaken by the sovereign in protection of the interest of the nation’s security, are lawful but which, if undertaken by bprivate persons, are not.” – Former President Richard Nixon, in his deposition to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.