EPA Withdraws Desert Rock Permit... AG: NM to Be Better Protected Now
Monday, April 27, 2009
Attorney General Gary King says the health and environment of New Mexico are the beneficiaries of today's decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to effectively withdraw the permit for the proposed Desert Rock power plant in the four corners area.
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(SANTA FE)---Attorney General Gary King says the health and environment of New Mexico are the beneficiaries of today's decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to effectively withdraw the permit for the proposed Desert Rock power plant in the four corners area.
"The EPA is exercising its authority to correct the permit's deficiencies that we identified in our appeal," says Attorney General Gary King. "The action today ensures that all New Mexicans receive the full protections of the law."
Today was the deadline for the federal agency to file its final legal brief on the Desert Rock permit after it had asked for an extension to more closely examine the issues following the takeover by the new Obama administration. Instead of filing a brief, however, the EPA filed a Motion For Voluntary Remand in order to reconsider a number of significant problems pointed out by New Mexico's appeal of the permit.
The issues EPA has indicated it will reconsider are as follows:
- The use of PM10 as a surrogate to satisfy the PSD requirements for PM2.5
- The consideration of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) as a pollution control option for Desert Rock
- The issuance of the final permit decision before completing the consultation under the Endangered Species Act
- The issuance of the final permit before completing an analysis of Desert Rock’s emissions of hazardous air pollutants like mercury
- The impacts of Desert Rock on soil, vegetation and visibility in the region.
The AG's Office also worked with staff and attorneys from the New Mexico Environment Department.
THE FULL MOTION FROM EPA IS INCLUDED AS AN ATTACHMENT
Attachments
| Title | Description |
|
Motion
| Full motion from EPA |
|