“The emission limits required by the EPA’s proposed permit for the Desert Rock power plant, planned by Sithe Global, Inc. and the Navajo Nation, are some of the most stringent in the country and would set a new level of performance for coal-fired plants in the United States.” US EPA, July 19, 2006
The Desert Rock Energy Project will be constructed with the most advanced, proven technology for a large scale coal fired power plant available. This technology is more advanced than the US EPA required technology called Best Available Control Technology or B.A.C.T. The technology includes:
- Low nitrogen oxide (NOx) burners and selective catalytic reduction to control NOx emissions;
- Low sulfur coal and wet flue gas desulfurization to control sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions;
- Wet flue gas desulfurization and a wet stack to control acid gas emissions, including sulfuric acid mist;
- Wet flue gas desulfurization to control mercury emissions. Activated carbon and hydrated quicklime injection to be installed before the fabric filter baghouse if needed for additional reductions, with secondary reductions in SO2 emissions and sulfuric acid mist;
- A fabric filter to control particulate emissions; and
- High efficiency combustion to control carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compound emissions.
Emissions Control Technology Slides
The project's hybrid dry cooling system will reduce water consumption by 80 percent compared to the typical coal plant. "Zero Discharge" - meaning no water will be discharged from the project.
The Desert Rock will use the nation’s most advanced supercritical coal technology and meet standards defined by the International Energy Agency for carbon capture- and storage-ready. Desert Rock will be able to be fitted for future deployment of carbon capture and storage technology when the conditions exist to support its implementation.
Click here to read more about Carbon Dioxide and Sequestration.
Mercury Facts
Desert Rock has agreed to reduce Mercury emissions by a minimum of 90% in our Voluntary Regional Air Quality Improvement Plan.
Click here to read more about Mercury.
The Desert Rock Energy Project is sited to advantageously and cost-effectively use Navajo Nation coal resources to fuel the power plant. Over one-half the total annual direct revenues to the Navajo Nation and one-half of non-construction jobs in the Navajo Nation are a direct result of the use of Navajo coal. Royalties paid to the Navajo Nation from the use of Navajo coal will exceed $25 million annually.
The Project will create new employment opportunities for the Navajo Nation. The agreements structured with the Navajo Nation require that Desert Rock and it’s contractors implement Navajo Employment Preference and Navajo Business Preference. Based on the 2000 census 38.5 percent of all families have a household income under the poverty level. Unemployment rates exceed 50 percent on the Reservation and many college educated students are unable to return to their homes because of lack of jobs. The project can generate an average of 1,000 jobs during the 4-year two-unit construction period. Long-term employment at the facility will employ up to 200 people at the power plant and an additional 200 people associated with employment at the mine expansion.
The project will generate tax revenue for the Navajo Nation from the operation of the power plant. This tax revenue will exceed $17 million annually.
The total annual revenue benefit to the Navajo Nation will be $52 million.
New businesses that will be created as a result of the Desert Rock Energy Project will provide untold economic benefit to the Navajo Nation. It is estimated that 3 additional jobs will be created in the region for every 1 job created at Desert Rock.
A new, state-of-the-art coal-fired plant will provide a continued energy supply to a region of the nation experiencing escalating demand. The Desert Rock Energy Project will provide fuel diversity, and a more economically stable and predictable power supply for utilities in the Southwest United States.
Desert Rock Energy Project is working very closely with local constituents to address concerns and answer questions. As part of the air permit and environmental impact statement process, meetings at various locations near the project were held to address issues and give local people access to agencies charged with evaluating the project. Over 350 meetings have been held since 2003 on this project to address issues of concern.
Public meetings are being held in Albuquerque, Burnham Chapter, Cortez, Farmington, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Sanostee Chapter, Shiprock, and with Navajo Interest Groups. Meetings have been held by the project developers and government agencies, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Desert Rock is sensitive to the impact of the power plant and mining facilities on the area. All aspects of the construction and operation are being studied to ensure local, state and federal regulations are met.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs must approve the land lease for the Desert Rock Energy project. The Bureau has determined that the approval of the lease and other aspects of the proposed project is a major Federal action that requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
In addition to the Navajo Nation, other Federal agencies cooperating with Bureau, the lead Federal agency preparing this EIS, include the Bureau of Land Management, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Before the lease can be approved each of these agencies must approve aspects of the construction and operation of the power plant, and/or the development and operation of the coal mine.