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Viewpoints |
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| This compendium
of online papers, essays, and statements is made available by the Partnership
for those interested in current material on earth spirituality. The list
is organized by date of publication and updated monthly. Suggestions from
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Desert Rock Vigil
This would be the third coal-fired power plant built on Navajo land, and the first co-owned by the Navajos themselves. But not all Navajos want to own a plant that powers air conditioners in Arizona and southern California by burning 5.5 million tons of Navajo coal each year. “They get the electricity and we get the pollution,” said one protester. The Four Corners power plant, rated at 2040 megawatts, sits on Navajo land in Fruitland, N.M., 25 miles west of Farmington. It is licensed to emit 157 million pounds of sulfur dioxide per year, 122 million pounds of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 8 million pounds of soot per year. Plus it emits 2000 pounds of mercury. Fifteen miles northwest of Farmington — just outside Navajo territory — we have the 1800-megawatt San Juan Generating Station in Waterflow, New Mexico. It burns an estimated 6.3 million tons of coal each year, releasing more than 100 million pounds of sulfur dioxide (SO2), more than 100 million pounds of nitrogen oxides (NOx), roughly 6 million pounds of soot, and at least 1000 pounds of mercury. Just 185 miles to the west lies an even larger coal plant on Navajo land, the 2400-megawatt Navajo Generating Station in Page, Arizona, which burns 8.5 million tons of coal each year, emitting 185 million pounds of sulfur oxides, 143 million pounds of nitrogen oxides, 9 million pounds of soot, and 2400 pounds of mercury. In 2000, U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimated that existing coal plants produce pollution equivalent to 3.5 million automobiles. The photos above were taken on a recent January trip to offer solidarity to the faithful vigilers huddled around a campfire under a snow laden sky. Assistance to help in the fight to block the power plant is sought.
Rally to Express Opposition to Desert Rock
Power Plant |
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Care
for Holy Mother Earth takes many forms. In an effort to stop a proposed
1500-megawatt coal fired power plant built by Sithe Global Power of
Houston, Tex., and co-owned by Dine’ Power Authority, A Navajo
tribal enterprise, elders are camped out near Burnham, New Mexico. Their
campaign called Doodá (meaning “No” in Navajo)
has had a Desert Rock Vigil since December 12.