On June 24, 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a federal Clean Air Act settlement with several Arizona and New Mexico-based utility companies to install pollution control technology to reduce harmful air pollution from the Four Corners Power Plant located on the Navajo Nation near Shiprock, New Mexico.

The settlement requires an estimated $160 million in upgrades to the plant’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution controls. The settlement also requires $6.7 million to be spent on three health and environmental mitigation projects for tribal members and payment of a $1.5 million civil penalty. EPA expects that the actions required by the settlement will reduce harmful emissions by approximately 5,540 tons per year.

“This settlement is a significant achievement for air quality and the health of the people of the Navajo Nation and the surrounding region,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Cruden for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The agreement will require stringent pollution controls as well as public health and environmental projects that will have lasting benefits for the Navajo people. It is also a reflection of how serious we are about addressing environmental justice issues in Indian country.”

“This settlement will reduce pollution from the Four Corners Power Plant for years to come, and requires the Plant’s owners to fund significant health and environmental projects that will further benefit the Navajo Nation and other communities impacted by the Plant,” said U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez for the District of New Mexico. “We also applaud the efforts of the citizen groups and other co-plaintiffs who helped represent the interests of the Navajo people and the environment so well, and who contributed significantly to obtaining such a fine result for the Four Corners Region.”

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) is the operator and primary owner of the Four Corners Plant. El Paso Electric Company, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District and Tucson Electric Power Company are current co-owners of the plant and Southern California Edison Company is a former co-owner of the plant. The settlement resolves claims that the companies violated the New Source Review provisions of the federal Clean Air Act by unlawfully modifying the Four Corners Power Plant without obtaining required permits or installing and operating the best available air pollution control technology.

What this means to you
EPA and the Department of Justice have settled with Arizona and New Mexico power producers to reduce harmful pollution from the Four Corners Power Plant near Shiprock, NM on the Navajo Reservation. Settlement includes $160 million in upgrades, $6.7 million in health mitigation funding and a $1.5 million civil penalty.

MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH to learn more about emission control strategies for your operation.