Rule aims to help clear air around Grand Canyon

[Judi Lynn]

Rule aims to help clear air around Grand Canyon

By FELICIA FONSECA, Associated Press | July 28, 2014 | Updated: July 28, 2014 5:05pm

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The largest coal-fired power plant in the West will produce one-third less energy by 2020 and could close in 2044 under a proposal that the federal government adopted to cut haze-causing emissions of nitrogen oxide at places like the Grand Canyon.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that the owners of the Navajo Generating Station could either shut down one of the plant's 750-megawatt units or reduce power generation by an equal amount by 2020. The owners would have until 2030 to install pollution controls that would cut nitrogen-oxide emissions by 80 percent.

The power plant near Page on the Navajo Nation would close in 2044 unless the tribe opts to take over the operation.

EPA regional administrator Jared Blumenfeld in San Francisco said a final decision didn't come easily and required flexibility. Along with meeting energy demands in the West, the 2,250-megawatt plant powers a series of canals that deliver water to Phoenix and Tucson, fuels the economies of the Navajo and Hopi Tribes, and helps fulfill American Indian water-rights settlements with the federal government.

More:
http://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Rule-aimed-at-cutting-coal-fired-plant-s-emissions-5651861.php

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Interesting to say the least.

Power station used for pumping water from Lake Powell(Colorado River)to Phoenix and Tucson. Yah,right. Talk about a story everyone needs to read. Southern Arizona is headed for a wake up call. When this turkey shuts down,property values will go thud. I doubt most folks realize this is the single source of water for the southern valleys of Arizona. Going to be very interesting in the next few years and many will have to adjust to reality witch is not a Arizona idea.