March 16,2010
Jared Blumenfeld Regional Administrator U.S. EPA Region 9 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105
Dear Mr. Blumenfeld: 

# RECEIVED MAR 24 

### 20 10 PemliL:> v rrice Air- 3 U.S. EPA, Region 9

Thank you for meeting with us on March 3 to discuss issues related to EPA 's Advanced Notice ofPublic Rulemaking (ANPR) on the upcoming BART determinations for the Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo Generating Station. These two coal-fired power plants are among our nation 's largest sources ofnitrogen oxide pollution, which harms our health and impairs visibility within the spectacuiar national parks throughout our region. We look forward to working with Region 9 in resolving these issues

. We are committed to achieving the strongest level ofpollution control possible from these two facilities in a timel y manner. The Clean Air Act requires that significant emission reductions at these plants be accomplished within five years. As part ofthis process, we urge you to evaluate opportunities to transition to renewable energy sources. Despite decades ofmining and burning coal in this region, many people still lack essentials such as water and electricity and they live in a polluted environment. We believe that there are healthier and more economically beneficial alternatives.
We appreciate your recognition that this region is one ofour nation's most egregious examples ofenvironmental injustice. We applaud your promise to " think outside the box " and are encouraged by your commitment to reach out to other federal agencies in finding solutions to eliminate pollution from Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo Generating Station

. To that end, we support engaging the U.S. Department of Interior and Department ofEnergy in developing clean energy alternatives, providing economic assistance to the tribes for renewable energy development, and helping to reverse the harm caused by these two coal-fired power plants to the region 's air, water , land, and people.
In the coming months , we intend to supplement our previous ANPR comments by providing you with a plan to resolve the human and environmental threats posed by Four Corners Power Plant and Navajo Generating Station

. We intend to suggest principles for guiding the transition away from polluting energy practices, identify opportunities to promote clean energy alternatives, and seek unifying positions with tribal governments. Our region is rich with economically sound opportunities and creative collaborations for transforming its energy future

. For example, the Navajo Nation has recently taken important steps toward an economy based on clean and sustainable energy through the Nation 's Renewable Energy Task Force and Green Economy Commission, and it will soon be the majority owner ofthe tribe 's first utility-scale wind project. Grassrootscommunities have initiated efforts toward renewable energy in preparing 

### Renewable Energy and Economic A lternativesfo r the Nava jo Nation. The Hopi Tribe is also pursuing clean energy prospects and sustainable economic growth through village leaders and its Energy Utility Office.

. We proudly stand united with you in courageously proclaiming "there are no jobs on a dead planet." Our coalition ofcitizens and environmental organizations is greatly encouraged by our meeting. We have confidence that EPA will provide the leadership needed to ensure that pollution from these coal plants will no longer harm the people and treasured landscapes ofour region

. Please extend our sincere gratitude to Debbie Jordan and to everyone who assisted in making possible our gathering in San Francisco

. We are committed to working pos itively with your agency and other key partners throughout the process and look forward to helping pian your visit to the region, including the Navajo and Four Comers power plants and Black Mesa. Ahehee', askwali , kwakwha, and thank you , Marshall Johnson Wahleah Johns Cy Wagoner Herman Tso Vernon Masayesva Joe Browder Garret Rosenblatt Lori Goodman Anna Frazier Elouise Brown Eldon Brown Mike Eisenfeld Megan Graham Taylor McKinnon Amy Atwood Rob Smith Andy Bessler Karen Hevel-Mingo John Barth Roger Clark Petrika Peters

cc. Lisa Jackson Steven Chu Ken Salazar Deborah Jordan To' Nizhoni Ani Black Mesa Water Coalition Black Mesa Water Coalition Lechee Chapter Black Mesa Trust Black Mesa Trust Black Mesa Trust Dine Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment Dine Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment Dooda Desert Rock Dooda Desert Rock San Juan Citizens Alliance San Juan Citizens Alliance Center for Biological Diversity Center for Biological Diversity Sierra Club Sierra Club National Parks Conservation Association Attorney at Law Grand Canyon Trust Grand Canyon Trust