Greetings from the Land Of Enchantment! It's been a pretty hot summer here in New Mexico. The federal government has just declared most of our counties drought disaster areas. Yes, we're definitely feeling the effects of global warming here in the American Southwest.
So, it's pretty ironic that the feds have decided to issue an air permit for a third greenhouse gas-belching coal fired power plant up in the Four Corners region of the state.
That's the Desert Rock Power Plant, and it's the last thing we need.
The New Mexico governor, as well as the New Mexico attorney general, agree.
A number of environmental groups* have been working hard to stop the Desert Rock project. Together, they released the following statement on July 31, 2008:
“EPA’s irresponsible, inappropriate decision has failed Navajo communities and needlessly sacrificed our air, land and water,” said Dailan Long of Diné CARE. “It is a devastating blow to tribal members who continually suffer from the large coal complex encroaching upon our land.”
[...]
“This is a political decision, not one based on science or EPA’s own
mandate,” said Mike Eisenfeld of San Juan Citizens Alliance. “EPA
ramrodded this permit out the door in response to a lawsuit filed by
the coal plant owner, whose lawyer, Jeff Holmstead, was a high-level
EPA official in the Bush administration. It looks like he’s still
giving orders to EPA’s staff.”
The permit’s numerous deficiencies — including the failure to
assess and set required emissions limits for carbon dioxide, mercury,
and ozone-forming pollutants — were made clear to the EPA in more than
1,000 comments submitted by other federal agencies, state and local
governments, tribal members and organizations, and other citizen
groups.
Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) also responded immediately. He had this to say:
By issuing the permit, a lawsuit filed by Sithe Global of Houston, Texas against EPA will most likely be dismissed. That lawsuit sought to force EPA to make a decision on the permit. EPA and Sithe Global apparently attempted to cut a deal to evade judicial review of new power plant.
“EPA is bending to the will of corporate, financial and misguided political interests that will pollute New Mexico’s skies,” Governor Richardson said. “EPA’s decision ignores its obligations to protect the health of residents and the environment in New Mexico and the region. We will not allow this ill-advised decision to stand.”
Gary King says that, legally, Desert Rock is "far from a done deal", since the EPA violated the Clean Air Act when it issued the permit.
Finally, NM Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry sums it up with:
In other words, the "Environmental Protection Agency" isn't exactly living up to its name.
Delaying the plant and examing the legality of the air permit is a step in the right direction.
However, I would like to call on Governor Richardson to do what he's done in the past: fight against corporate energy interests, and make a firmer stand on preserving the environment.
You've fought oil and gas development in the south of the state on Otero Mesa, Governor Richardson. You helped us win that battle (for now).
Now, help us win the battle in the Four Corners.
*Many thanks to: The San Juan Citizens Alliance, Clean Air Task Force, Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment, Sierra Club, Earthjustice, Environment Colorado, Environmental Defense Fund, Grand Canyon Trust, Natural Resources Defense Council, Western Resource Advocates, and Wild Earth Guardians for their hard work.
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