U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX

75 Hawthorne St.San Francisco, CA. 94105

Re: EPA-R09-OAR-2012-0021, FRL

Dear Mr. Blumenfeld:

I am writing because of my concern over the ruling against Cholla Power Plant, Joseph City, AZ.,

regarding “regional haze.” I learned that a small group has brought about complaints of air quality here,but they do not have an understanding of the entire picture.

If passed, the north east Arizona communities of the White Mountain area of Arizona will not recover

economically and will lose much of the county population and revenue. The Cholla Power Plant is a

major employer supplying 250 to 499 jobs. Additionally, the Arizona Public Service facility generates arevenue of $100. To $500. million per year.

Threats of job loss at the Cholla Power Plant compound a regional crisis caused by the bankruptcy and

announced September closure of the paper mill that has been a major employer in the area for 60 years.Owned by Catalyst, a Canadian corporation, its 300 employees will be out of jobs in a month and a half.

Subsidiary services dependent on business from the mill will be laying off up to an additional 100

employees. Some have reported they will be closing entirely. Due to changing circumstances (death of

spouse, caring for additional family members, lay-offs) a number of my hard-working friends lost their

homes in the past three years. With even more unemployment to come, I expect many more homes will

go into foreclosure or simply be abandoned.

The current unemployment rate in the 108,000+ population of Navajo County is presently 14.5%,. This

does not reflect the hundreds to be laid off September 30. In addition, even the big box stores (Walmart,

Lowes, Home Depot) and other retail stores in Navajo County lay off during the winter because the

seasonal visitors leave Labor Day. U.S. Govt. statistics show 28% of Navajo County’s homes are

recreational. Most other businesses in the three communities where I have worked and helped with

community activities are “mom and pop” type of goods and services. Just dealing with the certain loss

of 400 jobs September 30 means that many of these businesses will close and families move. Who will

be left here? Will there even be children to attend the schools? With higher utilities and more of a

burden on homeowners, I worry that my retirement income may not cut it, either.

Much of Navajo County is Navajo Reservation, and the county’s income is the lowest of all Arizona

counties. The per capita income for the county is $11,609., with nearly 24% of the families having

income less than the poverty level. The median income for a household is $28,569., usually with both

adults working. As a reflection of the economic climate in the area, we have thirteen “dollar stores”

serving a population of about 34 K in just four communities.

P.O. Box 911 / 607 W. Center, Taylor, Arizona 85939

jorusse113@yahoo.com / (928) 536-2749
overpasses. We can see for miles and enjoy red cliffs, tall evergreens, and rugged mountains. Perhaps

the need for cleaning up the air right away should be focused in the cities (such as Phoenix) where

people suffer from the effects of pollution in all manners of health and lung issues.

I am not asking you to pardon Cholla Power Plant from its need to comply. But I ask that you give the

plant a reasonable timeline and also give additional time for public hearings near the Cholla Power

Plant.

We, the residents of Navajo County, are not resistant to change. But we are resistant to extinction.

Sincerely,

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Russell,

Author, speaker, Navajo County retired educator