Don't pick on the "little" Navajo Nation, President Joe Shirley Jr says.
Shirley says the tribe is just trying to help itself by building a $3 billion, 1,500-megawatt, coal-fired power plant in New Mexico. The Desert Rock Energy Project will generate jobs and revenue for the tribe, he says.
But not everyone agrees. Some tribal members, environmentalists and even Gov. Bill Richardson (D) oppose the project, citing pollution often "associated with coal-fired power plants.
The Environmental Protection Agency has imposed strict air emission limits on the plant. But the facility would still emit 12 million tons of carbon dioxide every year, the equivalent of adding 1.5 million average cars to the roads, according to The New York Times.
"It’s the pollution and what the impacts are going to be from the pollution to all the people that live there. Not only the people that live there, but it adds to global warming. So it’s going to be a worldwide issue," Elouise Brown, a leader of the Dooda Desert Rock group tells the paper. Dooda means "No" in Navajo.
Get the Story:Navajos and Environmentalists Split on Power Plant (The New York Times 7/27)
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Shirley: Nation needs jobs, big projects (The Farmington Daily Times 7/27) Relevant Links:
Desert Rock Clean Air Act Proposed PSD Permit - http://www.epa.gov/region09/air/permit
Desert Rock Energy Project, BIA site - http://www.desertrockenergy.com
Desert Rock Energy Project, company site - http://www.desertrockenergyproject.com
Dine Citizens Against Ruining our Environment - http://dinecare.indigenousnative.org Related Stories:
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Navajo power plant hearing draws a big crowd (7/19)
BIA set for public hearings on Navajo power plant (7/17)
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BIA issues draft EIS on Navajo Nation power plant (5/22)
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Letter: Navajo Nation's hasn't cleared the air (03/27)
Letter: Power plant on sacred Navajo Nation land (3/19)
Navajo Nation debates power plant in New Mexico (2/20)
Letter: Hold Navajo Nation accountable for impacts (2/6)
Tax breaks for Navajo power plant tabled for now (1/30)
Navajos protest power plant at inauguration (1/16)
Navajo president meets with power plant protesters (12/19)
Navajo vice president meets with protesters (12/15)
Navajo protesters block work at power plant site (12/14)
Navajo Nation to own 25 percent of power plant (12/11)
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Commentary: Environmental justice for Navajos (07/26)
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EPA sets high standards for Navajo power plant (7/21)
Photos show Navajo opposition to power plant (7/19)
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Navajo Nation Council OKs power plant lease (5/15)
Dine group seeks to stop power plant on Navajo Nation (06/16)
BIA holds hearings on reservation power plant (03/29)
EPA seeks to reduce mercury from power plants (03/16)
EPA to issue new rule on mercury emissions (3/15)
EPA proposes rule to curb power-plant emissions (3/11)
Senate committee deadlocks on 'Clear Skies' bill (3/10)
Report faults EPA for mercury rule favoring industry (3/8)
Bush nominates career scientist as head of EPA (3/7)
Report: EPA's mercury proposal biased towards industry (02/04)
EPA to delay regulations on mercury emissions (04/30)
EPA drafts new rules to reduce air pollution (12/05)
Bush administration proposes to ease mercury rules (12/3)
Tribes mull toxic fish study findings (8/1)
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