Even if the Sithe Global Corporations proposed Desert Rock power plant uses state of the art technology to be the "cleanest" coal-fired in the country, it will still emit approximately 12 million tons of carbon dioxide per year.

In a feature article Sunday in the Farmington Daily Times, Cornelia de Bruin details the arguments for and against Desert Rock, which would be built about 30 miles southwest of Farmington, an area that already is home to two coal-fired power plants. One of the major concerns is that the plant’s emissions would push the four corner region’s air perilously close to the EPA’s permitted ozone levels, also known as "smog:"

 

Ozone in the Four Corners region is of particular concern to New Mexico’s Environment Department because of the number of times air here has come close to non-attainment of EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) — 0.08 parts per million — for the pollutant.

San Juan County "has been as close as within 5 percent of the (standard) in the last five years," information from the department states. "While NMED (New Mexico Environment Department) has monitored a decrease in 8-hour ozone design values in San Juan County during the past seven years, the concentrations remain close to the eight-hour NAAQS and may be considered high for a rural area with low population density.  

In addition to Ozone, Nitrogen Oxide and Sulfur Dioxide are also a concern, Mary Uhl, director of the New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Division said:

 

The nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions from Desert Rock, while less than emissions from San Juan Generating Station and Four Corners Power Plant, are still substantial and are being added to an airshed that is on the brink of not attaining the federal ozone standard.

Advocates add that it would also add Mercury to waterways, and increase New Mexico’s global warming air emissions overall by 15 percent.

But Sithe Global spokesman Frank Paisano says it will be "the cleanest coal plant in the United States with the most strict air permit ever" due to advanced technology:

 

Maisano said requirements, in addition to those in its permit, "will reduce mercury by 90 percent and lower overall regional haze emissions by 10 percent" despite being a third power plant to operate in a small area. That’s because of Sithe Global’s plan to reduce emissions from other projects in the region. In addition, we reduce global warming emissions by 20 percent because of our efficient operation and reduce water use by 85 percent due to new air cooling technologies.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency issued an air quality permit for the Desert Rock plant on July 31, which is being appealed by the state of New Mexico. The leadership of the Navajo Nation is in favor of the plant due to the jobs it would bring, while a coalition of community and environmental advocates plus the leadership of the State of New Mexico is opposed due to the environmental consequences.