Interior Department Agencies Affected by NGS Operations and Issues:
Interior Department Agencies Affected by NGS Operations and Issues Bureau of Indian Affairs Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Reclamation Fish and Wildlife Service Indian Water Rights Office National Park Service Office of Surface Mining Tribal trust responsibility Central Arizona Project Partial NGS Ownership Affordable water to Indian water rights settlements Water leases Coal leases Transmission rights of way Protection of visibility and air resources in national parks Threatened and endangered species
Interior’s Position:
Interior’s Position The BART process is EPA’s responsibility under the CAA and is one piece in a long-term planning process to improve visibility. Due to its legal constraints we expect EPA to issue a BART determination this year. Interior believes that the stakeholders should identify a long-term solution that can meet long-term visibility goals, develop clean energy alternatives and protect the various economic and water interests. EPA can consider this long-term strategy in its regulatory responsibilities and give it a context in which to consider BART alternatives.
THE 3 PARTS TO THE SOLUTION:
THE 3 PARTS TO THE SOLUTION Short Term (preceding EPA BART decision) – develop a consensus alternative to present to EPA for BART (Bill Auberle ) Addresses air quality problems Recognizes Comprehensive Planning Study Mid Term Solution (post EPA BART decision) Implement BART to address air quality problems Conduct Comprehensive Planning Study (2011 – 2014) Long Term Solution (2014-?) – Implement Long Term Clean Energy Solution Identified in Comprehensive Planning Study
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING STUDY OBJECTIVES:
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING STUDY OBJECTIVES Protect air resources at Class I Lands and the Reservations Provide affordable water to Arizona and Tribes Protect Tribal benefits received under Settlements Protect and Preserve Economic Values for the Hopi & Navajo Tribes Transition to renewable energy and/or clean Coal with carbon capture sequestration
ADVANTAGES/OUTCOMES OF COMPREHENSIVE STUDY:
ADVANTAGES/OUTCOMES OF COMPREHENSIVE STUDY Stakeholder participation – Collaborative decision Facilitates logical decision-making framework Considers viable alternatives for future of NGS – including renewable energy Collectively addresses all NGS issues Takes advantage of synergies not available in traditional BART process Improves air quality, visibility, and health Protects Tribal economic values and benefits Protects CAP users and AWSA beneficiaries Addresses Federal trust responsibilities Reduces potential closure of NGS without glide path Potentially EPA makes BART ruling addressing short, middle, and long-term objectives