Plant Would Negatively Impact Public
Health and Increase New Mexico’s Global
Warming Emissions by 15%
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency issued an air quality permit today for a hotly debated coal-fired power
plant proposed for Northwestern New Mexico.
The Desert Rock Energy Project is
projected to emit over 12.7 million tons per year of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere, which the state estimates would increase New
Mexico’s global warming emissions by 15 percent.
“Desert Rock’s Environment Impact Statement, on which the
EPA based its decision, received vast opposition. Instead of considering
alternatives that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Sithe contends that
the plant may actually be beneficial if its particle emissions contribute to
‘global dimming.’ Opponents of the project will be challenging this reckless decision,”
said Environment New Mexico Advocate Lauren Ketcham.
This permit approval is happening
at the same time as new coal plants are being increasingly scrutinized around
the country. Idaho has passed a
moratorium on new coal plants. Projects in Kansas
and Texas have been sidelined. On
July 1, a Georgia judge rejected an air pollution permit for a proposed new
coal plant because the permit did not set limits on carbon dioxide
emissions—the first time in history that a court has rejected a permit because
of global warming.
And James Hansen, NASA’s leading climate scientist, has
recently called for an international moratorium on new coal-fired power plants
and the retirement of existing plants, if we’re going to have a shot at
avoiding the worst impacts of a warming planet. Adding even one new coal plant,
he warns, could make the difference between reaching a tipping point, beyond
which serious consequences would be inevitable.
“The Four Corners
part of New Mexico is already
saddled with pollution from uranium mining, coal mining, oil and gas production
and two of the dirtiest coal-fired power plants in the country,” said Ketcham.
“And, the proposed Desert Rock plant is expected to add significantly more mercury,
arsenic, lead, dioxin, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride to region’s air,
water and land. Combined with its global
warming footprint, this environmental impact is simply unacceptable.”
Governor Bill Richardson and
Attorney General Gary King have already announced that they will be filing an appeal.
“With abundant solar and wind, world class experts at our
universities and labs, and some of the strongest renewables laws in the
country, New Mexico is well-positioned to be leading the way on solutions to
global warming and creating a clean, green energy economy,” concluded Ketcham.
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Environment New Mexico is a state-wide environmental advocacy
organization working to protect New Mexico’s
air, water and open spaces.
www.EnvironmentNewMexico.org
Additional Contacts:
Elouise Brown, Doodá
Desert Rock (505) 947-6159
Mike Eisenfeld, San Juan
Citizens Alliance (505) 325-6724
Marissa Stone,
New Mexico Environment Department, (505) 827-0314
