BOISE, Idaho, April 6, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- http:/www.alternateenergyholdings.com/)">Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:AEHI) today announced that during a recent hearing before the Elmore County Planning and Zoning Commission, the Commissioners decided to recommend a change to the wording of the county's comprehensive plan. The current plan requires industrial development to locate along Simco Road, which was a sticking point for a plan by Alternate Energy Holdings to build a nuclear power plant in another part of the county.
"This latest decision keeps the door open for a possible nuclear power plant in Elmore County, and I believe it reflects the Commissioners' continued desire to keep our project in play. While AEHI's Payette County site is currently the lead location in Idaho, we also welcome the news that Elmore County is taking such steps to increase the possibility for more economic development," said Don Gillispie, AEHI CEO.
During the meeting, a nuclear power opponent also requested the Commissioners change the wording of the comprehensive plan in a way that would close the door to a nuclear power plant, and the Commissioners refused this requested wording change.
"Before long, AEHI may be faced with a decision that no one expected, choosing between two approved sites, one in Payette County, the other in Elmore County," said Gillispie.
Nuclear power has been recognized as a vital method to increase economic viability especially in rural communities like those proposed in Elmore and Payette counties. AEHI's project is estimated to increase employment by more than 5,000 workers through construction and more than 1,000 during ongoing plant operations.
The commercial benefit during construction is even more impressive, increasing the state's GDP by $5.8 billion, with $4.3 billion of that money filtering directly through the county.
About Alternate Energy Holdings, Inc. (http://www.alternateenergyholdings.com/)
Alternate Energy Holdings develops and markets innovative clean energy sources. The company is the nation's only independent nuclear power plant developer seeking to build new power plants in multiple non-nuclear states. Other projects include Energy Neutral, which removes energy demands from homes and businesses (http://www.energyneutralinc.com/), Colorado Energy Park (nuclear and solar generation), and International Reactors, which assists developing countries with nuclear reactors for power generation, production of potable water and other suitable applications. AEHI China, headquartered in Beijing, develops joint ventures to produce nuclear plant components and consults on nuclear power. AEHI Korea, Seoul, is assisting KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation) to export their APR 1400 reactor into the U.S. and achieve NRC design certification.