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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

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WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 

PRO

OFFICE OF


AIR AND RADIATION 

The Honorable Jeff Flake 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Congressman Flake: 

Thank you for your letter of February 24, 2012, to President Obama, co-signed by five of your 

colleagues, concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's upcoming action on the Regional 

Haze Federal Implementation Plan (FTP) for the Navajo Generating Station (NGS). The President has 

asked that I respond on his behalf. 

We understand your concerns and appreciate your interest in developing a viable solution. We have met 

with tribal stakeholders to assess their needs and issues with regard to the FTP. In addition, the EPA met 

with CAP to discuss the FTP and recently we met with representatives of the Maricopa-Stanfield 

Irrigation and Drainage District. We look forward to continuing the discussions with all interested 

parties. 

We realize the significance of the NGS facility to the Navajo, Hopi, Gila River, and other tribes, as well 

as many others who depend on the power from NGS for a variety of purposes. Tn a recent letter to 

Interior Secretary Salazar and Energy Secretary Chu, EPA Administrator Jackson affirmed her 

commitment to collaborate with those agencies "on creative solutions to protect the environment, human 

health and natural resources, while honoring tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable 

energy future." A copy of her letter is enclosed. The EPA staff has been meeting periodically with 

representatives from the Departments of Tnterior and Energy to discuss the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory report and to better understand the many issues associated with the NGS plant. 

I assure you we will consider the information in your letter, as well as what we learn in our continued 

stakeholder meetings, in developing a FTP that fully meets the requirements of the Regional Haze Rule. 

We expect to propose the FTP this summer; it will be open for public comment for at least 90 days and 

the EPA will hold several public hearings during this time. We welcome any additional information you 

may have for our consideration.

Internet Address (URL) . http f/wwwepa.gov


Recycled/Recyclable . Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Postconsumer, Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper
Again, thank you for your letter. If you have further questions, please contact me or your staff may call 

Josh Lewis in EPA's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at (202) 564-2095. 

Gina McCarthy 

Assistant Administrator 

cc: Jared Blumenfeld 

Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 


WASFIIrJGTON, D C. 20460 

The I lonorable Kenneth Salazar 

Secretary of the lntcrior 

Washington, D.C. 20240 

The Honorable Steven Chu 

Secretary of Energy 

Washington, D.C. 205g5 

Working toward improving visibility in our national parks and wilderness areas, the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency is undertaking rulemaking involving the Navajo Generating Station. Situated on the 

northwest corner of the Navajo Nation, near Page, Ariz., the power plant and its relationship to the tribes 

and the Central Arizona Prolect have been part of numerous discussions among the EPA, the 

Dcpartrneni of the Interior and the Department of Fnergy. 

In the Clean Air Act, Congress mandated the goal of restoring visibility in our parks and wilderness 

areas to natural conditions. To achieve this goal. the EPA developed rules to implement the Regional 

Haze Program and the Best Available Retrofit Technology requirement to reduce emissions of visibilityimpairing pollutants from certain stationary sources. The Navajo Generating Station is among the 

nations highest emitters of nitrogen oxides and is near II national parks, including Grand Canyon 

National Park. 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory last month released a study, produced for the Department 

of the Interior, that describes the complexity of the economic relationships among the tribes, the plant's 

owners and the Central Arizona Project and examines the impacts of potential air-pollution controls. The 

study raises several issues that I am interested in discussing with you, including a transition from the 

current situation to a future that involves renewable energy development and protects the tribes' 

economic interests. 

The challenges presented by the power plant offer a unique opportunity for our agencies to collaborate 

on creative solutions to protect the environment, human health and natural resources, while honoring 

tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable energy fl.zture. Although the EPA and the 

departments of' the Interior and Energy operate with different authorities, we share the federal trust 

responsibility to tribes and the obligation to engage in meaningful consultation. 

Please accept my invitation to meet at our earliest convenience to discuss a plan to address these 

challenges. I suggest we all ask our stafts to identif' concerns and potential solutions in advance of our
meeting. These solutions could focus on mitigating the impacts on tribes and promoting a transition to 

clean energy, as directed by President Obama. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not Lesitate to contact me or your staff may contact 

Jared Blumenfeld, the EPAs Region 9 Administrator, at (415) 947-8702 or bIumenfe1d.jarcdepa.gov.
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY


WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

OFFICE OF


AIR AND RADIATION 

The Honorable Ed Pastor 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Congressman Pastor: 

Thank you for your letter of February 24, 2012, to President Obama, co-signed by five of your 

colleagues, concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's upcoming action on the Regional 

Haze Federal Implementation Plan (FTP) for the Navajo Generating Station (NGS). The President has 

asked that I respond on his behalf. 

We understand your concerns and appreciate your interest in developing a viable solution. We have met 

with tribal stakeholders to assess their needs and issues with regard to the FTP. In addition, the EPA met 

with CAP to discuss the FTP and recently we met with representatives of the Maricopa-Stanfield 

Irrigation and Drainage District. We look forward to continuing the discussions with all interested 

parties. 

We realize the significance of the NGS facility to the Navajo, Flopi, Gila River, and other tribes, as well 

as many others who depend on the power from NGS for a variety of purposes. In a recent letter to 

Interior Secretary Salazar and Energy Secretary Chu, EPA Administrator Jackson affirmed her 

commitment to collaborate with those agencies "on creative solutions to protect the environment, human 

health and natural resources, while honoring tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable 

energy future." A copy of her letter is enclosed. The EPA staff has been meeting periodically with 

representatives from the Departments of Interior and Energy to discuss the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory report and to better understand the many issues associated with the NGS plant. 

I assure you we will consider the information in your letter, as well as what we learn in our continued 

stakeholder meetings, in developing a FIP that fully meets the requirements of the Regional Haze Rule. 

We expect to propose the FTP this summer; it will be open for public comment for at least 90 days and 

the EPA will hold several public hearings during this time. We welcome any additional information you 

may have for our consideration.

Internet Address (URL) . http //wwwepa gov


Recycled/Recyclable . Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 1000/o Postconsumer Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper
Again, thank you for your letter. If you have further questions, please contact me or your staff may call 

Josh Lewis in EPA's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at (202) 564-2095. 

Gina McCarthy 

Assistant Administrator 

cc: Jared Blumenfeld 

Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 


WASHINGTON. DC, 20460 

The I lonorabic Kenneth Salaar 

Secretary of the Interior 

Washington, D.C. 20240 

The Honorable Steven Chu 

Secretary of Energy 

Washington, fIC. 205t5 

Working toward improving visibility in our national parks and wilderness areas, the U.S. Fnviromnental 

Protection Agency is undertaking rulemaking involving the Navajo Generating Station. Situated on the 

northwest corner ot'the Navajo Nation, near Page, Ariz., the power plant and its relationship to the tribes 

and the Central Arizona Project have been part of numerous discussions among the EPA, the 

Department of the Interior and the Department of Fnergy. 

In the Clean Air Act, Congress mandated the goal of restoring visibility in our parks and wilderness 

areas to natural conditions. To achieve this goal, the EPA developed rules to implement the Regional 

Haze Program and the Best Available Retrofit Technology requirement to reduce emissions of visibilityimpairing pollutants from certain stationary sources. The Navajo Generating Station is among the 

nations highest emitters of nitrogen oxides and is near ii national parks, including Grand Canyon 

National Park. 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory last month released a study, produced for the Department 

of the Interior, that describes the complexity of the economic relationships among the tribes, the plant's 

owners and the Central Arizona Project and examines the impacts of potential air-pollution controls. The 

study raises several issues that I am interested in discussing with you, including a transition from the 

current situation to a future that involves renewable energy development and protects the tribes' 

economic interests. 

The challenges presented by the power plant offer a unique opportunity for our agencies to collaborate 

on creative solutions to protect the environment, human health and natural resources, while honoring 

tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable energy future. Although the EPA and the 

departments of the Interior and Energy operate with different authorities, we share the federal trust 

responsibility to tribes and the obligation to engage in meaningful consultation. 

Please accept my invitation to meet at our earliest convenience to discuss a plan to address these 

challenges. I suggest we all ask our staffs to identil' concerns and potential solutions in advance of our
meeting. These solutions could focus on mitigating the impacts on tribes and promoting a transition to 

clean energy, as directed by President Obama. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or your stalT may contact 

Jared Blumenfeld, the lPAs Region 9 Administrator, at (415) 947-8702 or blumenfeld.jared(epa.gov .
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY


WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

OFFICE OF


AIR AND RADIATION 

The Honorable Trent Franks 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Congressman Franks: 

Thank you for your letter of February 24, 2012, to President Obama, co-signed by five of your 

colleagues, concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's upcoming action on the Regional 

Haze Federal Implementation Plan (FTP) for the Navajo Generating Station (NGS). The President has 

asked that I respond on his behalf. 

We understand your concerns and appreciate your interest in developing a viable solution. We have met 

with tribal stakeholders to assess their needs and issues with regard to the FTP. In addition, the EPA met 

with CAP to discuss the FTP and recently we met with representatives of the Maricopa-Stanfield 

Irrigation and Drainage District. We look forward to continuing the discussions with all interested 

parties. 

We realize the significance of the NGS facility to the Navajo, Hopi, Gila River, and other tribes, as well 

as many others who depend on the power from NGS for a variety of purposes. In a recent letter to 

Interior Secretary Salazar and Energy Secretary Chu, EPA Administrator Jackson affirmed her 

commitment to collaborate with those agencies "on creative solutions to protect the environment, human 

health and natural resources, while honoring tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable 

energy future." A copy of her letter is enclosed. The EPA staff has been meeting periodically with 

representatives from the Departments of Interior and Energy to discuss the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory report and to better understand the many issues associated with the NGS plant. 

I assure you we will consider the information in your letter, as well as what we learn in our continued 

stakeholder meetings, in developing a FTP that fully meets the requirements of the Regional Haze Rule. 

We expect to propose the FTP this summer; it will be open for public comment for at least 90 days and 

the EPA will hold several public hearings during this time. We welcome any additional information you 

may have for our consideration.

Internet Address (URL) . http//wwwepagov


RecycIed/RecycabIe Printed with Vegetable Oil Based nks on 100% Postconsumer, Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper
Again, thank you for your letter. If you have further questions, please contact me or your staff may call 

Josh Lewis in EPA's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at (202) 564-2095. 

Gina McCarthy 

Assistant Administrator 

cc: Jared Blumenfeld 

Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 


WASHINGTON, DC. 20460 

The I lonorable Kenneth Salazar 

Secretary of the Interior 

Washington, D.C. 20240 

The Honorable Steven Chu 

Secretary of Energy 

Washington, D.C. 2O55 

Working toward improving visibility in our national parks and wilderness areas, the U.S. hnvironmental 

Protection Agency is undertaking rulemaking involving the Navajo Generating Station. Situated on the 

northwest corner of the Navajo Nation, near Page, Ariz., the power plant and its relationship to the tribes 

and the Ccntral Arizona Project have been part of numerous discussions among the EPA, the 

Department of the Interior and the Department of Fnergy. 

In the Clean Air Act, Congress mandated the goal of restoring visibility in our parks and wilderness 

areas to natural conditions. To achieve this goal, the EPA developed rules to implement the Regional 

Haze Program and the Best Available Retrofit Technology requirement to reduce emissions of visibilityimpairing pollutants from certain stationary sources. The Navajo Generating Station is among the 

nation's highest emitters of nitrogen oxides and is near 11 national parks, including Grand Canyon 

National Park. 

The National Renewabic Energy Laboratory last month released a study, produced for the Department 

of the Interior, that describes the complexity of the economic relationships among the tribes, the plant's 

owners and the Central Arizona Project and examines the impacts of potential air-pollution controls. The 

study raises several issues that I am interested in discussing with you, including a transition from the 

current situation to a future that involves renewable energy development and protects the tribes' 

economic interests. 

The challenges presented by the power plant offer a unique opportunity for our agencies to collaborate 

on creative solutions to protect the environment, human health and natural rcsourccs, while honoring 

tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable energy future. Although the EPA and the 

departments of the Interior and Energy operate with different authorities, we share the federal trust 

responsibility to tribes and the obligation to engage in meaningtIil consultation. 

Please accept my invitation to meet at our earliest convenience to discuss a plan to address these 

challenges. I suggest we all ask our staiTh to identify concerns and potential solutions in advance of our
meeting. These solutions could focus on mitigating the impacts on tribes and promoting a transition to 

clean energy, as directed by President Obama. 

J.f you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or your staiT may contact 

Jared Blumenfeld, the EPA's Region 9 Administrator at (415) 947-8702 or b1umenfed.jaredepa.gov .
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY


WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

OFFICE OF


AIR AND RADIATION 

The Honorable Ben Quayle 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Congressman Quayle: 

Thank you for your letter of February 24, 2012, to President Obama, co-signed by five of your 

colleagues, concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's upcoming action on the Regional 

Haze Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for the Navajo Generating Station (NGS). The President has 

asked that I respond on his behalf. 

We understand your concerns and appreciate your interest in developing a viable solution. We have met 

with tribal stakeholders to assess their needs and issues with regard to the FTP. In addition, the EPA met 

with CAP to discuss the FTP and recently we met with representatives of the Maricopa-Stanfield 

Irrigation and Drainage District. We look forward to continuing the discussions with all interested 

parties. 

We realize the significance of the NGS facility to the Navajo, Hopi, Gila River, and other tribes, as well 

as many others who depend on the power from NGS for a variety of purposes. In a recent letter to 

Interior Secretary Salazar and Energy Secretary Chu, EPA Administrator Jackson affirmed her 

commitment to collaborate with those agencies "on creative solutions to protect the environment, human 

health and natural resources, while honoring tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable 

energy future." A copy of her letter is enclosed. The EPA staff has been meeting periodically with 

representatives from the Departments of Interior and Energy to discuss the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory report and to better understand the many issues associated with the NGS plant. 

I assure you we will consider the information in your letter, as well as what we learn in our continued 

stakeholder meetings, in developing a FTP that fully meets the requirements of the Regional Haze Rule. 

We expect to propose the FTP this summer; it will be open for public comment for at least 90 days and 

the EPA will hold several public hearings during this time. We welcome any additional information you 

may have for our consideration.

Internet Address (URL) . httpIIwww epagov


Recycled/Recyclable . Printed with Vegetable OH Based Inks on 100% Postconsumer, Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper
Again, thank you for your letter. If you have further questions, please contact me or your staff may call 

Josh Lewis in EPA's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at (202) 564-2095. 

Gina McCarthy 

Assistant Administrator 

cc: Jared Blumenfeld 

Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 


W.ASHNGTON, D C. 20460 

The I Ionordble Kenneth Salazar 

Secretary of the interior 

Washington, D.C. 20240 

in the Clean Air Act, Congress mandated the goal of restoring visibility in our parks and wilderness 

areas to natural conditions. To achieve this goal, the EPA developed rules to implement the Regional 

Haze Program and the Best Available Retrofit Technology requirement to reduce emissions of visibilityimpairing pollutants from certain stationary sources. The Navajo Generating Station is among the 

nations highest emitters of nitrogen oxides and is near II national parks, including Grand Canyon 

National Park. 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory last month released a study, produced for the Department 

of the Interior, that describes the complexity of the economic relationships among the tribes, the plant's 

owners and the Central Arizona Project and examines the impacts of potential air-pollution controls. The 

study raises several issues that I am interested in discussing with you, including a transition from the 

current situation to a future that involves renewable energy development and protects the tribes' 

economic interests. 

The challenges presented by the power plant offer a unique opportunity for our agencies to collaborate 

on creative solutions to protect the environment, human health and natural resources, while honoring 

tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable energy future. Although the EPA and the 

departments of the Interior and Energy operate with different authorities, we share the federal trust 

responsibility to tribes and the obligation to engage in meaningful consultation. 

Please accept my invitation to meet at our earliest convenience to discuss a plan to address these 

challenges. I suggest we all ask our staffs to identit' concerns and potential solutions in advance of our 

•
meeting. These solutions could focus on mitigating the impacts on tribes and promoting a transition to 

clean energy, as directed by President Obania. 

if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or your statr may contact 

Jared Blumenfeld, the EPA's Region 9 Administrator, at (4 5) 947-8702 or b1umenfeld.jaredepa.gov.
CO S7.

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY


WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

OFFICE OF


AIR AND RADIATION 

The Honorable Paul Gosar, D.D.S 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Congressman Gosar: 

Thank you for your letter of February 24, 2012, to President Obama, co-signed by five of your 

colleagues, concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's upcoming action on the Regional 

Haze Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) for the Navajo Generating Station (NGS). The President has 

asked that I respond on his behalf. 

We understand your concerns and appreciate your interest in developing a viable solution. We have met 

with tribal stakeholders to assess their needs and issues with regard to the FTP. In addition, the EPA met 

with CAP to discuss the FIP and recently we met with representatives of the Maricopa-Stanfield 

Irrigation and Drainage District. We look forward to continuing the discussions with all interested 

parties. 

We realize the significance of the NGS facility to the Navajo, Hopi, Gila River, and other tribes, as well 

as many others who depend on the power from NGS for a variety of purposes. In a recent letter to 

Interior Secretary Salazar and Energy Secretary Chu, EPA Administrator Jackson affirmed her 

commitment to collaborate with those agencies 'on creative solutions to protect the environment, human 

health and natural resources, while honoring tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable 

energy future." A copy of her letter is enclosed. The EPA staff has been meeting periodically with 

representatives from the Departments of Interior and Energy to discuss the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory report and to better understand the many issues associated with the NGS plant. 

I assure you we will consider the information in your letter, as well as what we learn in our continued 

stakeholder meetings, in developing a FTP that fully meets the requirements of the Regional Haze Rule. 

We expect to propose the FTP this summer; it will be open for public comment for at least 90 days and 

the EPA will hold several public hearings during this time. We welcome any additional information you 

may have for our consideration.

Internet Address (URL) . http//www epa gov


Recycled/Recyclable . Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Postconsumer, Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper
Again, thank you for your letter. If you have further questions, please contact me or your staff may call 

Josh Lewis in EPA's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at (202) 564-2095. 

Gina McCarthy 

Assistant Administrator 

cc: Jared Blumenfeld 

Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 


WASHtNGTON. 0 C. 20460 

The I lonorable Kenneth Salazar 

Secretary of the Interior 

Washington, D.C. 20240 

The Honorable Steven Chu 

Secretary of Energy 

Washington, D.C. 2055 

Working toward improving visibility in our national parks and wildcrness areas, the U.S. Fnvironmenial 

Protcetion Agency is undertaking rulemaking involving the Navajo Generating Station. Situated on the 

northwest corner of the Navajo Nation, near Page, Ariz., the power plant and its relationship to the wibes 

and the Central Arizona Project have been part of numerous discussions among the EPA, the 

Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy. 

In the Clean Air Act, Congress mandated the goal of restoring visibility in our parks and wilderness 

areas to natural conditions. To achieve this goal, the EPA developed rules to implement the Regional 

Haze Program and the Best Available Retrofit Technology requirement to reduce emissions of visibilityimpairing pollutants from certain stationary sources. The Navajo Generating Station is among the 

nations highest emitters of nitmgen oxides and is near 11 national parks, including Grand Canyon 

National Park. 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory last month released a study, produced for the Department 

of the Interior, that describes the complexity of the economic relationships among the tribes, the plant's 

owners and the Central Arizona Project and examines the impacts of potential air-pollution controls. The 

study raises several issues that I am interested in discussing with you, including a transition from the 

current situation to a future that involves renewable energy development and protects the tribes' 

economic interests. 

The challenges presented by thc power plant offer a unique opportunity for our agencies to collaborate 

on creative solutions to protect the environment, human health and natural resources, while honoring 

tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable energy future. Although the EPA and the 

departments ot' the Interior and Energy operate with different authorities, we share the federal trust 

responsibility to tribes and the obligation to engage in meaningtlil consultation. 

Please accept my invitation to meet at our earliest convenience to discuss a plan to address these 

challenges. I suggest we all ask our staffs to identify concerns and potential solutions in advance of our
meeting. These solutions could focus on mitigating the impacts on tribes and promoting a transition to 

clean energy, as directed by President Obama. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or your stall may contact 

Jared Blumenfeld, the FPAs Region 9 Administrator, at (415) 9474702 or b1umenfeld.jaredepa.gov .
\10 St.

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (p4) WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 

oc

OFFICE OF


AIR AND RADIATION 

The Honorable David Schweikert 

U.S. House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Congressman Schweikert: 

Thank you for your letter of February 24, 2012, to President Obama, co-signed by five of your 

colleagues, concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's upcoming action on the Regional 

Haze Federal Implementation Plan (FTP) for the Navajo Generating Station (NGS). The President has 

asked that I respond on his behalf. 

We understand your concerns and appreciate your interest in developing a viable solution. We have met 

with tribal stakeholders to assess their needs and issues with regard to the FTP. In addition, the EPA met 

with CAP to discuss the FTP and recently we met with representatives of the Maricopa-Stanfield 

Irrigation and Drainage District. We look forward to continuing the discussions with all interested 

parties. 

We realize the significance of the NGS facility to the Navajo, Hopi, Gila River, and other tribes, as well 

as many others who depend on the power from NGS for a variety of purposes. In a recent letter to 

Interior Secretary Salazar and Energy Secretary Chu, EPA Administrator Jackson affirmed her 

commitment to collaborate with those agencies "on creative solutions to protect the environment, human 

health and natural resources, while honoring tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable 

energy future." A copy of her letter is enclosed. The EPA staff has been meeting periodically with 

representatives from the Departments of Interior and Energy to discuss the National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory report and to better understand the many issues associated with the NGS plant. 

I assure you we will consider the information in your letter, as well as what we learn in our continued 

stakeholder meetings, in developing a FTP that fully meets the requirements of the Regional Haze Rule. 

We expect to propose the FTP this summer; it will be open for public comment for at least 90 days and 

the EPA will hold several public hearings during this time. We welcome any additional information you 

may have for our consideration.

Internet Address (URL) . http://www epa gov


Recycled/Recyclable . Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Postconsumer. Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper
Again, thank you for your letter. If you have further questions, please contact me or your staff may call 

Josh Lewis in EPA's Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at (202) 564-2095. 

Gina McCarthy 

Assistant Administrator 

cc: Jared Blumenfeld 

Regional Administrator, EPA Region IX
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 


WASHIN(TON. C C. 20660 

The I lonorabic Kenneth Salazar 

Secretary of the Interior 

Washington, D.C. 20240 

The Honorable Steven Chu 

Secretary of Energy 

Washington, D.C. 2055 

Working toward improving visibility in our national parks and wilderness areas, the U.S. Fnvironmental 

Protection Agency is undertaking rulemaking involving the Navajo Generating Station. Situated on the 

northwest corner of the Navajo Nation, near Page, Ariz., the power plant and its relationship to the tribes 

and the Central Arizona Project have been part of numerous discussions among the EPA, the 

Department of the Interior and the Department of Fnergy. 

In the Clean Air Act, Congress mandated the goal of restoring visibility in our parks and wilderness 

areas to natural conditions. To achieve this goal, the EPA developed rules to implement the Regional 

Ha2c Program and the Best Available Retrofit Technology requirement to reduce emissions of visibilityimpairing pollutants from certain stationary sources. The Navajo Generating Station is among the 

nations highest emitters of nitrogen oxides and is near ii national parks, including Grand Canyon 

National Park. 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory last month released a study, produced for the Department 

of the Interior, that describes the complexity of the economic relationships among the tribes, the plant's 

owners and the Central Arizona Project and examines the impacts of potential air-pollution controls. The 

study raises several issues that I am interested in discussing with you, including a transition from the 

current situation to a fliture that involves renewable energy development and protects the tribes' 

economic interests. 

The challenges presented by the power plant offer a unique opportunity for our agencies to collaborate 

on creative solutions to protect the environment, human health and natural resources, while honoring 

tribal communities and advancing our nation's renewable energy future. Although the EPA and the 

departments of the Interior and Energy operate with different authorities, we share the federal trust 

responsibility to tribes and the obligation to engage in meaningful consultation. 

Please accept my invitation to meet at our earliest convenience to discuss a plan to address these 

challenges. I suggest we all ask our staffs to identi' concerns and potential solutions in advance of our 

y i l..VL	*
meeting. These solutions could focus on mitigating the impacts on tribes and promoting a transition to 

clean energy, as directed by President Obama. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or your staff may contact 

Jared Blumenfeld, the EPAs Region 9 Administrator, at (415) 947-8702 or bIumenfcIdjaredepa.gov .