U.S. evaluates pollution, jobs at coal plant near Grand Canyon

A federal working group will address concerns about air pollution and jobs at the largest coal-fired power plant in the western United States, the Navajo Generating Station on an Indian reservation near the Grand Canyon, three U.S. agencies said on Friday.

A joint statement from the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the agencies would work together to find ways to produce “clean, affordable and reliable power” while “minimizing negative impacts on those who currently obtain significant benefits from (the Navajo station), including tribal nations.”

The 2,250-megawatt 1970s-era coal plant is located on the Navajo Indian reservation just 15 miles from the Grand Canyon.

Shutting the plant would cost more than 1,000 jobs at the plant and the coal mine that supplies it, according to U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican. A majority of the workers are Native Americans.

Salt River Project, a part-owner and operator of the station, said it was encouraged by the statement which recognizes the importance of the power plant to the region and commits the agencies to work together.

Other owners of the station include Arizona Public Service, a unit of Pinnacle West Capital Corp, Tucson Electric Power, a unit of UNS Energy Corp, NV Energy and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Information from Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/05/us-utilities-coal-navajogenerating-idUSBRE90401D20130105

Share this!

Additional Articles

Top master-planned communities for 2024

By AZ Big Media Here are the Top 10 master-planned communities in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona

Read More »
News Categories

Get Our Twice Weekly Newsletter!

* indicates required

Rose Law Group pc values “outrageous client service.” We pride ourselves on hyper-responsiveness to our clients’ needs and an extraordinary record of success in achieving our clients’ goals. We know we get results and our list of outstanding clients speaks to the quality of our work.