News Release Archive

Reclamation and BIA Seek Public Comments on Navajo Generating Station Operations through December 2019 and Potential Retirement Activities Post-2019

Media Contact: Dan DuBray/Reclamation, 202-513-0574
Nedra Darling/Indian Affairs

For Release: May 25, 2017

Navajo Generating StationPHOENIX – The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are seeking public comments on a proposed action for potential Federal decisions needed to operate Navajo Generating Station (NGS) near Page, Arizona, through December 2019 and to conduct retirement activities post-2019. Operating NGS through December 2019 and conducting retirement activities post-2019 will require land use agreements that will likely require Federal approvals. Because of these potential Federal approvals, an Environmental Assessment (EA) is being prepared to help assess the effects the proposed action would have on the environment and natural resources. This information will aid in decisions regarding a land use agreement and required rights-of-way, which are the subject of current negotiations between the Navajo Nation (Nation) and the non-Federal participants (Lessees).

Land use agreement options are being considered for operating NGS through December 2019 and potentially initiating retirement of the plant in 2020. Use of existing power transmission facilities are also being considered. Without a land use agreement between the Nation and the Lessees enabling retirement and post-closure activities to begin after 2019, NGS operations would likely cease by January 2018 and initiation of retirement activities would begin immediately. If new owners purchase NGS, those owners would need to separately pursue Federal approvals to operate NGS after December 2019.

Reclamation and BIA are seeking public input regarding: the possible impacts of potential Federal decisions allowing NGS to operate until the end of 2019 followed by retirement; other alternatives that should be considered to enable retirement to begin after 2019; and other concerns and issues that should be addressed in the EA. Please send written comments to:

NGS Operations through 2019, Retirement and Post-Closure EA
Scoping Comments
ERO Resources Corporation
1842 Clarkson Street
Denver, CO 80218

You also may fax your comments to 303-830-1199 or email your written comments to NGS-EA@eroresources.com. Comments must be postmarked by the end of the scoping period on June 9, 2017 for consideration in the EA. Interested parties’ names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or other personal identifying information included with comments may be made publicly available at any time. Requesting personal information be withheld does not guarantee that we will be able to do so.

More information on the EA is available at: https://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix/, or https://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/RegionalOffices/Navajo/index.htm.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.