Contact: Amy Dominguez, amy.dominguez@sierraclub.org
ARIZONA – Today the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) heard from clean air advocates calling for strengthened pollution reduction measures to restore clean skies in Arizona’s national parks like Grand Canyon, Saguaro, and Petrified Forest National Parks, and to protect vulnerable communities that often live in close proximity to polluting facilities that degrade air quality and exacerbate the climate crisis.
Arizona has numerous coal and gas plants that emit a host of harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter. There are also other industrial emitters, including copper smelters and cement kilns. Major polluters include the Springerville Coal generation station that ranks as one of Arizona’s worst sources of haze pollution, contributing 12,970 tons of emissions, as well as the Cholla, Coronado, and Sundt/Irvington generating stations. Despite the many opportunities for cost-effective controls, ADEQ improperly concludes that almost no reductions in pollution are warranted from the above sources.
During the public hearing, advocates came forward to share their concerns about poor air quality that negatively impacts community health, drives up healthcare costs, and makes it harder for kids to play outdoors. They encouraged ADEQ to improve the state’s haze plan, calling for a green energy transition. ADEQ will review and respond to comments before sending the final plan to the Environmental Protection Agency for review.
"We rely on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to keep skies clean and communities free of toxic pollutants that harm our health," said Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Director. "To do that, dirty coal plants and other polluting facilities must be well controlled and regulated. Community members have been clear in their advocacy that clean air protections are long overdue. Arizona needs a comprehensive plan that includes swift and measurable action."
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.