BIA set for public hearings on Navajo power plant

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is holding the first public hearing today on the Navajo Nation's proposed power plant.

The hearing takes place in Farmington, New Mexico. The BIA will hear comments about a draft environmental impact statement for the $2.5 billion, 1,500-megawatt coal-fired power plant.

More hearing will be held in New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona over the next two weeks. Written comments are being accepted until August 20.

The tribe has partnered with Sithe Global on the Desert Rock Energy Project. The tribe will share in revenues from the facility, to be located near Shiprock, New Mexico.

Navajo activists oppose the project, saying it will cause pollution and harm sacred sites.

Get the Story:
Farmington first stop on Desert Rock hearings tour (The Farmington Daily Times 7/17)

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:
BIA holds public hearings on Navajo power plant (7/16)
Colorado county, city oppose Navajo power plant (7/12)
Sierra Club sues EPA over Navajo power plant (7/10)
BIA to hold hearings on Navajo Nation power plant (06/18)
BIA takes comments on Navajo power plant project (05/29)
BIA issues draft EIS on Navajo Nation power plant (5/22)
EPA still reviewing Navajo Nation power plant (5/4)
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)
EPA extends comment period on Navajo power plant (10/31)
Navajos criticize tribe's proposed power plant (10/06)
EPA takes comments on Navajo Nation power plant (10/3)
Editorial: Public comment on Navajo power plant (09/21)
Commentary: Environmental justice for Navajos (07/26)
Navajos worried about power plant emissions (7/25)
EPA sets high standards for Navajo power plant (7/21)
Photos show Navajo opposition to power plant (7/19)
Navajo Nation power plant reduces emissions (05/19)
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)
Toxic fish threaten tribal subsistence (7/31)