River News Now Breaking News Travel

Farmington, New Mexico - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed a motion with its Environmental Appeals Board for a voluntary remand of the air permit issued for the Desert Rock Energy Facility, which would be located on the Navajo Nation approximately 25 miles southwest of Farmington, New Mexico, in the Four Corners area.

This action will allow the agency to reconsider the parts of the permit that were appealed to the Environmental Appeals Board after the permit was issued on July 31, 2008. In January of this year, the EPA withdrew the portion of the permit decision regarding emission limits and controls for emissions of carbon dioxide to seek further comment on the matter. This action addresses other issues still under appeal with the Board. The Board will consider the motion filed and issue an order to grant or deny it. If the motion is granted, the permit will be sent back to the EPA’s Pacific Southwest office for further analysis.