# PUBLIC SUBMISSION As of: March 30, 2012 Received: March 22, 2012 Status: Draft Tracking No. 80fdd6a9 Comments Due: March 26, 2012 Submission Type: Web Docket: EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 Alaska Regional Haze SIP Comment On: EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 - 0001 Approvals and Promulgations of Implementation Plans: State of Alaska; Regional Haze Document: EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 - DRAFT - 0045 Comment on FR Doc # 2012 - 04326



## Submitter Information General Comment I believe there should be no restriction on continued operation of coal fired power plants in Alaska. The minimal population and weater conditions ensure that emissions are not a major issue in the Denali area. On the other hand, the exhorbitant energy prices in Alaska would be further exacerbated by placing restrictions on the operation of coal fired power plants. At the current time there are no cost effective alterna tives available to Alaska residents. As a 40 year resident of Alaska i request you consider the economic hardships on Alaskans that further regulation would cause. George Bennett 602 Keeling RD North Pole, AK 99705

# PUBLIC SUBMISSION As of: March 30, 2012 Received: March 23, 2012 Status: Draft Tracking No. 80fdfee0 Comments Due: March 26, 2012 Submission Type: Web Docket: EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 Alaska Regional Haze SIP Comment On: EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 - 0001 Approvals and Promulgations of Implementation Plans: State of Alaska; Regional Haze Document: EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 - DRAFT - 0046 Comment on FR Doc # 2012 - 04326



## Submitter Information Submitte r's Representative: Alice Edwards, Director, Division of Air Quality Organization: State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation Government Agency Type: State Government Agency: Department of Environmental Conservation



## General Comment See attached file(s) 

## Attach ments EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 RH SIP letter 3 - 23 - 12

# PUBLIC SUBMISSION As of: March 30, 2012 Received: March 26, 2012 Status: Draft Tracking No. 80fe1b6a Comments Due: March 26, 2012 Submission Type: Web Docket: EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 Alaska Regional Haze SIP Comment On: EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 - 0001 Approvals and Promulgations of Implementation Plans: State of Alaska; Regional Haze Document: EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 - DRAFT - 0047 Comment on FR Doc # 2012 - 04326



## Submitter Information Organiza tion: Barbara Brease 

## General Comment PO Box 549 Healy, Alaska 99743 March 26, 2012 Docket ID No. EPA - R10 - OAR - 2011 - 0367 Dear Mr. McLerran This is to urge you to stre ngthen the haze plan for Alaska and require a reduction in haze pollutants from coal - fired power plants that threaten the air quality of Denali National Park. The Clean Air Act should not be undermined. As a resident of Healy, Alaska, I live on the bounda ry of Denali National Park can attest to the need for a reduction in emission pollutants. The increase in haze in and around Denali National Park over the years is noticeable. If E.P.A. allows GVEA to skip emission reduction technology upgrades at Units 1 and 2, visibility will decline even more. Additionally, please consider the tourism industry that markets Denali as a pristine landscape. The EPA must be aware that the Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) Healy Power Plantis a very short distance f rom the border of f Denali National Park. The winds blow the plume from Unit 1 right into Denali airspace. If Unit 2 goes online NOx and SO2 emissions will be even more increased. EPA’s own data shows that the visual range you can see at Denali National Pa rk ranges and that this is due to haze. While the issue seems to focus on the visual impacts of haze, the particles and gasses that cause the haze (sulfates, nitrates, organic carbon, and elemental carbon (soot) are linked to serious health and environme ntal effects. Haze pollution contributes to heart attacks, asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, respiratory illness and premature death. We know that forest fires and emissions from Asia and Europe are contributors to our haze. Cleaning up our own coal - fi red plants is an action that we can take towards improving visibility and air quality in Denali. Please strengthen the haze plan for Alaska and require meaningful reductions in haze pollution from power plants threatening the air quality of Denali Nation al Park, as well as all Alaskan National Parks and Wilderness Areas.