Editorial: Generating station vital for Indian jobs

Opinion

Monday, October 26, 2009

"Haze will always be an occasional problem at the Grand Canyon, whether or not the nearby Navajo Generating Station is forced to install expensive equipment to reduce emissions.

Since there is no way to reduce haze caused by nature or man-made activities far away, we believe it would be unwise for the federal Environmental Protection Agency to mandate stricter controls on the nitrogen oxides and particulates produced by the coal-burning station.

The EPA is considering imposing new emission controls as part of the Clean Air Act. The agency is expected to issue a preliminary ruling in the next few months. That ruling may become final sometime next year.

Anyone who cares about the environment wants clean air. This is especially true at the Grand Canyon, one of the world's most visited natural treasures.

However, when it comes to the Navajo Generating Station, located about 12 miles east of the Canyon in Page, there are other issues that make safeguarding the station as important as protecting the Canyon. The station is vital because:

• It provides many jobs and is the economic lifeblood of the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe. The station and the Kayenta Coal Mine in Northern Arizona together directly employ nearly 1,000 tribal members."

Get the Story:
Navajo station needs emission control reprieve (The Arizona Daily Star 10/25)
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Another Opinion:
Roger Clark: Pollution plan shouldn't worry CAP (The Arizona Republic 10/25)