Washington, DC – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today penned a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson urging the agency to move forward with proposals to clean up the Four Corners Power Plant and San Juan Generating Station in New Mexico. Specifically, the EPA’s proposals seek to reduce their emissions, which have harmful effects on the economy and public health in southwest Colorado.
“I would like to offer my support for your Agency’s recent efforts to address long standing concerns with air quality in the Four Corners region through your proposals to clean up the Four Corners Power Plant and San Juan Generating Station in New Mexico,” Bennet wrote in the letter. “As you know, this region has long suffered with air quality problems and that degradation is of deep concern to Southwest Coloradans. …EPA’s actions in this region exemplify the commonsense and proper application of the Clean Air Act to provide cleaner air for our communities and our children.”
Much of the economy of Colorado’s portion of the Four Corners region relies on the visitors and tourists that come from around the world to see the iconic mesas, mountains and National Parks that define this area. Unfortunately, Class 1 airsheds such as Mesa Verde National Park and the Weminuche Wilderness Area have been degraded by pollution that National Park Service (NPS) modeling attributes to the power plants.
Also, emissions from these plants, including nitrogen oxides and mercury, have caused a variety of negative public health impacts. In particular, health advisories have been issued for those consuming fish caught in Southwest Colorado because of mercury contamination. A federal comment period regarding the EPA’s plan for the Four Corners Power Plant is open until May 2, 2011. Bennet sent his letter to Administrator Jackson and to EPA’s official comment docket. Coloradans wishing to make their voices heard on this issue can comment via email or U.S. mail at the below addresses. Additional information can be found here.
E-mail: r9air_fcppbart@epa.gov
U.S. Mail:
Anita Lee (AIR-3)
U.S. EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-3901
Full text of the letter is included below.
Dear Administrator Jackson,
I would like to offer my support for your Agency’s recent efforts to address long standing concerns with air quality in the Four Corners region through your proposals to clean up the Four Corners Power Plant and San Juan Generating Station in New Mexico. As you know, this region has long suffered with air quality problems and that degradation is of deep concern to Southwest Coloradans.
Much of the economy of Colorado’s portion of the Four Corners region relies on the visitors and tourists that come from around the world to see the iconic mesas, mountains and National Parks that define this area. Unfortunately, Class 1 airsheds such as Mesa Verde National Park and the Weminuche Wilderness Area have been degraded by pollution that National Park Service (NPS) modeling attributes to the power plants. These Class 1 areas are drivers of the economy in Southwest Colorado and cleaning up the air surrounding them helps secure the economic future of the region.
Emissions from the plants in question, including nitrogen oxides and mercury, have caused a variety of negative public health impacts. I am particularly pleased to see that the Agency’s plans for these plants will dramatically reduce mercury pollution, which has – among other things – caused health advisories for those consuming fish caught in Southwest Colorado. Recent reports suggest that great strides are already being made to reduce dangerous mercury from these generating facilities, and I hope that trend continues.
Finally, I would also like to thank EPA for its pragmatic attitude in accepting Arizona Public Service’s (APS) proposal for the Four Corners Power Plant. While the initial plan EPA submitted was certainly sound, the plan APS subsequently put forward will provide greater reductions in emissions at a lower cost, while still allowing the utility to provide stability to its customers. Thank you for listening to all stakeholders and working with industry to complete an even better plan that works for all.
I urge EPA to continue forward with these proposals for the Four Corners Plant and the San Juan Generating Station. EPA’s actions in this region exemplify the commonsense and proper application of the Clean Air Act to provide cleaner air for our communities and our children. I urge you to make these proposals final at the earliest practicable date.