By Glenn Hamer and Steve Macias | The Arizona Republic
In her recent “My Turn,” http://www.azcentral.com/opinions/articles/20130503coal-poor-investment-arizona-energy-future.html. Nancy LaPlaca touted Los Angeles and Nevada for their plans to abandon coal-fueled electricity
She encouraged Arizona to follow suit with little to no regard for the economic implications of her suggestion, which would undoubtedly result in higher energy and water rates for the state.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations proposed for the Navajo Generating Station in Page could make this bleak picture a reality, costing the Arizona economy billions in revenue and thousands of jobs while, according the federal government’s own study on the matter, providing no environmental benefit.
Los Angeles’ “coal-free” plan will cost ratepayers more than $600 million, according to the city’s Department of Water and Power. The total fallout from Nevada’s major utility, NV Energy, eliminating coal use has yet to be fully uncovered as regulators and legislators begin to wrap their arms around the proposal.
