Barely three months ago, commissioners penned an endorsement of the $1.3 billion Toquop facility - planned 32 miles away near Mesquite, Nev. - arguing that the technology satisfied their environmental concerns.

Now they have their doubts. After talking with Utah environmental officials, Commissioner Dennis Drake said that he fears the plant will harm air quality in southwestern Utah.

The commission's reversal comes on the heels of a public hearing earlier this week at Dixie State College, where St. George Mayor Daniel McArthur and members of a standing-room-only crowd spoke out against the 750-megawatt plant.

"I guess that meeting turned some heads," said Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff, whose city earlier adopted a resolution opposing the power plant.

Commissioner James Eardley acknowledged that the gathering probably had some influence on his and his colleagues' about-face.

"I wasn't surprised at what was said at the hearing," Eardley said. "But, as I listened, it seemed there might be more viable options that are less offensive."

Not that Eardley is ready to rule out all coal-fired plants. He said the county is always looking at options to supply power to its booming population.

Paul Van Dam, executive director of Citizens for Dixie's Future and a former Utah attorney general, was "tickled" to hear the commission's new stance.

"We need electricity, everyone agrees," Van Dam said. "But the [Toquop] site is unfortunate for St. George and should be opposed - even by those who know we need power."

Frank Maisano, a spokesman for the proposed plant, downplayed the commission's newfound opposition, saying that it will have no effect on Nevada's decision.

He also insists that the latest technology will make the plant the cleanest ever.

"Regional haze emissions [on St. George] will be virtually nonexistent," Maisano said.

mhavnes@sltrib.com