Group demands that EPA enforce clean air protections at plant near Page

More than 10,000 petitions were delivered to the Environmental Protection Agency office in Tempe, Ariz., on Friday. The marchers were demanding clean air protections at the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) near Page.

The 2,250-megawatt generating station is the largest and dirtiest coal plant in the state, according to a Huffington Post piece by Mary Anne Hitt, director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign.

Hitt said Kathy Mohr-Almeida and her daughter Anna are volunteers for the group Arizona Beyond Coal, which wants the EPA to enforce the Clean Air Act protections for the NGS.

The EPA is expected to decide within the next few weeks whether to enforce the Clean Air Act at NGS and require reduced pollution through the retrofit technology. The Clean Air Task Force estimates that pollution from Navajo Generating Station contributes to 16 premature deaths, 25 heart attacks, 300 asthma attacks, and 15 asthma emergency room visits each year, with total annual health costs of more than $127 million.

Kathy Mohr-Almeida claimed the plant also has a negative impact on the air quality around the Grand Canyon. Kathy’s daughter, Anna, 11, said she has many family members and classmates that have breathing difficulties.

Hitt said Anna has even started a nonprofit environmental organization called Kids Climate Action Network (Kids CAN), which aims to includes the youth’s voice in the climate change conversation.

Her mom says Anna is working with renowned climate scientists, community leaders, and others on climate and clean air issues. Anna will also be attending the Sierra Student Coalition summer training program in July.