A pollution control solution for Four Corners Power Plant was announced last Friday, saving the plant and a valuable source of jobs and revenue for the Navajo Nation.
Under the proposal, two of the plant’s five units would be upgraded to exceed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, and the other three units would be shut down. Plant officials, as well as those at Navajo Mine, which supplies the plant with coal, have promised that despite the shutdowns, there will not be any layoffs.
Four Corners is listed by the EPA as the nation’s dirtiest power plant in terms of the amount of nitrogen oxide released into the atmosphere. An October proposal by the EPA to cut those emissions by 80 percent placed the future of the plant in jeopardy.
Arizona Public Service Co. (APS), however, presented a plan that includes installation of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) equipment on two boilers. According to the EPA, “SCR is the most stringent pollution control technology available for this type of facility.” The upgrades are expected to exceed the EPA’s original proposal by reducing emissions by 87 percent.
“The new proposal controls emissions better, while costing less and preserving jobs,” said EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld. “This plant is the nation’s largest source of nitrogen oxides. By reducing its emissions by 87 percent, rather than our initial proposal of 80 percent, we will all be able to see the results and breathe cleaner, healthier air.”
Between the power plant and the mine, approximately 1,000 people are employed as part of the Four Corners operation. Nearly 75 percent of those are Navajo.
If the plan is approved, units one, two and three, which are the oldest units, would be permanently shut down. Units four and five, which are jointly owned by several utility companies, would remain in operation.
In addition to saving jobs and reducing emissions, the plan will improve visibility at 16 national parks and wilderness areas. EPA officials note that the October proposal would reduce visibility impacts by an average of 57 percent, while the current proposal would reduce impacts by an average of 72 percent.
“Every year over 280 million people visit our nation’s most treasured parks and wilderness areas,” EPA documents note. “Yet many visitors aren’t able to see the spectacular vistas because of the veil of white or brown haze that hangs in the air, reducing visibility and dulling the natural beauty.”
Among the 16 impacted parks and wilderness areas is Petrified Forest National Park. APS estimates indicate that visibility impact from Four Corner Power Plant emissions would be reduced by 74 percent at the Petrified Forest. Impacts are expected to be reduced by 75 percent at the Grand Canyon.
According to the EPA, the 87 percent reduction in emissions under the current proposal translates to 5,800 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions per year, compared to current emissions of 45,000 tons per year.
The proposal still must receive final approval, and public comments are being sought. More information is available online at www.epa.gov/region9/air/Navajo or by calling (415) 972-3958.
