State air-quality officials formally pulled the plug this week on the new coal-fired power plant planned in central Utah by the Intermountain Power Agency.

James A. Hewlett, IPA's general manager, asked the state in an Aug. 12 letter to scrap the pollution permit granted to the company five years ago for the new 900-megawatt unit at its Intermountain Power Plant in Delta.

"Since IPA does not intend to approve the development and construction of the currently permitted third coal-fired power plant ("Unit 3") at the IPP," he wrote, "I write to inform you that it seems appropriate to cancel or revoke the Unit 3 approval order issued [for it] on Aug. 3, 2004."

If IPA decides to build something else at the site, it will seek a new permit, Hewlett said.

On Monday, Division of Air Quality Director Cheryl Heying responded with a letter saying IPA's request had been granted.

Environmentalists fought the plant, citing its potential impact on the visibility at nearby national parks and the state's decision not to require the latest clean-coal technology.

Infighting among the new plant's original proponents -- the IPA, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems -- resulted in a breach-of-contract suit, which was settled in June.

In July, IPA indicated it would scrap the plant. Monday's letter makes it final.