Opinion ID: 2685304
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Timing of FIP Implementation

Text: Recognizing that the baghouse issue is moot, WildEarth has presented its three other suggestions of how consultation could have led to reduced emissions of mercury and selenium. One suggestion, raised by WildEarth in a postbriefing letter to the court submitted under Fed. R. App. P. 28(j), was that the EPA could write the FIP alternative to require APS to implement selective catalytic reduction on Units 4 and 5 before the current July 31, 2018 deadline. But WildEarth did not make this argument in its opening brief. The only mentions of selective catalytic reduction in WildEarth’s opening brief are in the fact section describing the plan adopted in the FIP and a quote from the record that “the [U.S. Government Accountability Office] reported that selective catalytic reduction—one of the options under consideration [and ultimately selected] for NOx 14 controls at [the Plant] and [another nearby plant]—also substantially contributes to reductions in mercury emissions.” Aplt. Br. at 41 (internal quotation marks omitted). The brief’s only mention of the timing of installation is in a footnote that refers to Units 1–3, not Units 4 and 5: “EPA also has the discretion to determine the date for the installation and operation of the new pollution controls. The longer [the Plant’s] Units 1, 2, and 3 operate, the more mercury is released into the Four Corners region by the plant.” Id. at 45 n.14. These references hardly alerted opposing counsel or the court that WildEarth was suggesting that consulting with the Fish and Wildlife Service could lead to advancing the date for installation of selective-catalytic-reduction technology on Units 4 and 5. “[W]e routinely have declined to consider arguments that are not raised, or are inadequately presented, in an appellant’s opening brief.” Bronson v. Swensen, 500 F.3d 1099, 1104 (10th Cir. 2007). The fact that another argument for relief has now failed (as moot) is no excuse for raising a new argument at this stage of the appeal. We therefore do not consider whether the EPA had discretion to consider whether it could advance the date for installing selective-catalytic-reduction technology and, if so, whether that discretion triggered a duty to consult.