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Desert Rock Vigil, Burnham, New Mexico |
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Breaking News: EPA Overturns Desert Rock Permit The EPA just overturned the air permit it issued last year for the proposed Desert Rock Power Plant. The EPA received more than 1,000 comments opposing the permit and citing its failures to limit mercury and carbon dioxide pollution, as well as not taking into considering effects on wildlife. The decision is a huge blow to Sithe Global, the developers of the Desert Rock Power Plant, and a major victory for the climate and clean air in the Four Corners region. WildEarth Guardians, together with Earthjustice, San Juan Citizens Alliance, Dine' Citizens Against Ruining the Environment, Dooda (No) Desert Rock and other groups, have been tirelessly working on the ground and in the courts to prevent this global warming disaster. - from WildEarth Guardians, 9/28/2009
This would be the third coal-fired power plant built on Navajo land, and the first co-owned by the Navajos themselves. But not all Navajos want to own a plant that powers air conditioners in Arizona and southern California by burning 5.5 million tons of Navajo coal each year. “They get the electricity and we get the pollution,” said one protester. The Four Corners power plant, rated at 2040 megawatts, sits on Navajo land in Fruitland, N.M., 25 miles west of Farmington. It is licensed to emit 157 million pounds of sulfur dioxide per year, 122 million pounds of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 8 million pounds of soot per year. Plus it emits 2000 pounds of mercury. Fifteen miles northwest of Farmington — just outside Navajo territory — we have the 1800-megawatt San Juan Generating Station in Waterflow, New Mexico. It burns an estimated 6.3 million tons of coal each year, releasing more than 100 million pounds of sulfur dioxide (SO2), more than 100 million pounds of nitrogen oxides (NOx), roughly 6 million pounds of soot, and at least 1000 pounds of mercury. Just 185 miles to the west lies an even larger coal plant on Navajo land, the 2400-megawatt Navajo Generating Station in Page, Arizona, which burns 8.5 million tons of coal each year, emitting 185 million pounds of sulfur oxides, 143 million pounds of nitrogen oxides, 9 million pounds of soot, and 2400 pounds of mercury. In 2000, U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimated that existing coal plants produce pollution equivalent to 3.5 million automobiles. These photos were taken on a recent January trip to offer solidarity to the faithful vigilers huddled around a campfire under a snow laden sky.
Attend the Rally to Stop Desert Rock and write letters to your NM representatives who will be addressing a tax incentive for Sithe during the current legislative session. Members of the Navajo Nation gather at the Rally in Santa Fe Feb. 5, 2007 February 5, Monday, 2–3 PM Click here to read the op-ed piece printed in the Albuquerque Journal, Aug. 17. 2008.
Several NMIPL members joined at the rally at the capacity-filled rotunda of the State Capitol on Feb. 5, 2007. |
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