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Ethan Miller / Getty Images
An aerial view of sandstone formations May 2, in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah.
AP reports -- SALT LAKE CITY -- A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency order will require two of Utah's oldest coal-fired power plants to improve control of pollution that has drastically reduced visibility across a region that includes five national parks and redrock wilderness.
Pollution controls at a pair of PacifiCorp power plants in Emery County "do not comply with our regulations," EPA Regional Administrator James Martin wrote earlier this week in the 79-page order. He signed out the 34- and 42-year-old plants for improvement, rejecting Utah's less stringent pollution controls but upholding broader efforts by the state to reduce haze across southern Utah.
PacifiCorp said it was already upgrading pollution controls at the Hunter and Huntington power plants and planned more improvements by 2014 that would bring them into compliance with the new requirements.
Ethan Miller / Getty Images
An aerial view of sandstone formations May 2, in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah.
Nearly 400 national parks can be found all across America, and feature breathtaking vistas, rock formations millions of years old, and more.
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Yes we need clean air and water but the EPA has tightened the CO2 emission limits on powerplants to the point that coal fired plants will be paying fines just to operate no matter how well they control emissions.
And they will pass that cost on to the consumer.
Combined with the fact that there have been no expansion of gas leases to fire gas fired power plants which fall under the magic EPA CO2 number and within a few years most of the country will be living in the dark or pay a huge portion of their income just to heat and cool their homes.
EPA forget the park haze, clear up the corrupt Republican corporate political puppet HAZE! It's MUCH MORE DAMAGING to the 99% American People than that little bit of Utah park haze!
99% American People, vote 100% DEMOCRATIC, the lives you save from the Republican HAZE will be YOURS & your CHILDREN!!!
,'-D
Yes, let's all throw ourselves off of the cliff together, holding hands.
Al Gore would be proud of you. What would do with people that disagree with you, Tell the truth.
Never-mind this bit of EPA propaganda. Every once in a while the EPA must pretend that they are truly protecting the environment, and pretend that they are not bought & sold corporate whores, whose true intent is to destroy the environment and its inhabitants.
EPA, the Obama office of crucifixion.
Yay EPA, and if the coal company is telling the truth ( which i seriously doubt) then yay coal company as well. Granted though, the EPA is seriously corrupt and the corruption should be cut out without killing the EPA.
Obama said he would bankrupt the coal industry. His EPA executive said he was going to Crucify the oil companies. Four more years of Obama and America will return to the DARK-AGES.
Yes, tapado we should go back to more Love canals, Ohio rivers catching on fire, Times Beach,MO,s! Just like it was in the good old days before the EPA was formed! A clean environment = a good economy!
It seems that some people can't comprehend that there is a lot of room to operate between no regulation and overregulation. Others would like that to continue, at least through the election.
Who needs an EPA, just burn tires for warmth, because I'm an American and I'm free to pollute as much as I want! Who cares about things like the environment, I make money and that's the only thing that's important.
/sarcasm
Fortunately this will be the last year that the EPA has as much power as it does for a while.
Romney 2012!!!!!!
When I post on here, my "independent minded ideas" get wiped out by Big Brother. Tear up the pact we just signed on to w/ Afghanistan and used that money to take care of this country. Walmart's in trouble for bribing Mexican officials in order to do business. That's all our gov't does -- Republics and Democrats -- run all over the globe throwing our money around. Sad truth is, it gets us no where.
Gordy, If this is OUR planet, why are countries like China making such a mess of it? On the whole, we have our ducks in a row when it comes to the environment. Megapolluters like China and India need to catch up. Until they do, they are playing with a different set of economic rules and the US is the one that suffers. Instead of putting more energy on the international front, the EPA needs to complain about something here to make the American people feel like it is still important today. I agree that they have a place, they just need to stop getting off on using that hammer they like to swing around.
Unimpressed
Why dont you tell China to clean up their act, and see how fast they tell you to F off. Thanks to Obama, they own us.
You are preaching to the choir, Steve...
Thanks to
ObamaGW Bush, they own us.There, fixed that for you.
Steve 2081387 (and others), I disagree with your assessments of blame. Nixon was the one who gave China "most favored nation" status, and as long as the American people bought into it, it has survived. If you want to eliminate this fraud in our midst, you have to do more than complain.
I see the U.S. terrorist group is still around !
If we really want to reduce the pollution in the Coal fired power plants why doesn't Obama give some of the billions he has given to solar and wind companies , to the power companies so they can up grade their plants with the latest polluition control equipment and we will have cleaner air without jacking up the energy cost to the consumers. Could it be because the power companies and coal industries are not Democratic contributors? We have plenty of coal, oil and natural gas all we need is the investment of new technology to keep it clean and creat new good paying jobs. Can you tree huggers imagine what the wilderness would look like if we all went back to nature like you want to? The rivers,lakes and streams would be filthly with human waste and the forests would be gone, cut down for wood fires to keep warm and cook our foods. No wild game left, it would all be gone eaten by hungry humans.
Rofl, the Repblicans want to turn Utah into the Sahara Desert. Cut all the trees, burn all the oil, send the smokes into the sky, they don't care -as long as it creates jobs and someone is making money. The only problem with this strategy is that our health care costs will skyrocket even more because we'll all be getting sicker -but the Republicans have a plan for this too - privatize health care and let the poor die. Isn't it just such a wonderful world when Republitards are in control?
Baldman, prove it. Just because you can make senseless coments doesn't mean they're valid.
Well why don't you prove me wrong Roger. Tell me that a majority of the Republitards in congress aren't trying to turn the EPA into a powerless agency. Tell me that a majority of Republitards in congress aren't climate change deniers. Tell me that a majority of Republitards in congress aren't in favor of oil drilling in the artic refuge and couldn't care less about what happens to the environment. Tell me that most Republicans aren't in favor of hydraulic fracturing even if it leads to a contamination of the potable water supply. Tell me how many decades it has been since the Republitards took a leadership role in stewarding a legislation that protects the environment. Tell me, Roger, and don't just make senseless comments below and call it a reply.
Roger-396420, the comment from Baldman (aside from the partisan spin) isn't far off the mark--We the People being the "mark" that others enjoy defrauding. Health is a serious issue, which costs and remedies can't be ignored or avoided. The comments aren't "senseless"; neither is their validity to be ignored or suppressed.
If your political leaning is conservative, then act to conserve Life, above all else. The rest of the 'blither' doesn't matter. Whatever is aimed at avoiding responsibility for shared reality is met with a dead end.
The EPA may be full of blundering, blooming bureaucracy (as is all of government--local, state, and federal), but if you and I, and the rest, can't overcome the twin dilemmae of Corporate overreach and governmental "dancing" (both counter to the rhythms of life), what can we do? Our options are to reprioritize, repeal, generate referenda, support reform, demand and receive transparency in accountability, and vote, vote, vote; else do we have any other option, other than to revolt?
I've grown weary of the polarization of the Parties vying for power over us. They need to be driven back, and re-introduced to the following Truth: Just as in the end zone of a football game, the goal posts cannot be "played", since they are only the defining extreme polarities; paradoxically opposed. If you want to reach the goal that is delimited by its poles, you have to move in favor of the obvious space between them. Otherwise, there's no "score".
The majority of citizens in this country are not represented by the extreme polarities of either "right" or "left", nor by "independents" or "populists". So....where do you suggest that we begin to exit this failed polarized paradigm that merely deflects us from either side, and from one another's options to make a difference in this unbelievable ideological, illogical "standoff"?
The earth at this time is nothing more than a giant land fill in space. We will continue to pollute untill there is no time left to clean it up. We either start doing it right now or we will all have to pay for it later! yes we all drive cars yes we all use landfills. I would drive an electric car if they were available. Car and oil companies don't want us to, so the EPA is needed to force these companies to care. No company out there that pollutes the air or ground water will do the right thing if it takes away from their profits. Even if it cost us billions 20 years from now to clean it up. We done this damage in the last 100 years. Where will be after the next 100 years? These coal and oil companies don't care!
Wow the Banns and suspinsions that are going to come out of this post is gotta be a record for NV.
oing to make them do wind farms that change the local environment I guess. Like the wind farms that are causing crops to die in California.
More Obama over reach!! It's crushing us!!!
As a Utah resident I can attest this very Republican state believes it is their right to spew filth and toxins into the air and water for money.
Everyone that has to ingest that filth can suck eggs.
The air in the Wasatch Mountain front (Salt Lake, Provo and Ogden) is FILTHY. The "leadership" does not care at all. They continually drag their feet and cry how mistreated Utah is.
B.S.!!!!!!
why is this even a story, they said they are working toward compliance, all you libs should get back on the meds.
What i love is how no one in these forums has never ever been to any of these national parks ever. As some one who has almost lived in these parks I can tell you that there is not smog! The EPA is just trying to push around companies because they can. If any one doesn't believe me just go to one of these parks.
JVNein: Don't assume. I've been to all those on a "Golden Eagle Pass", and many, many more in 48 of our 50 states, and other places, overseas. Why don't you go to (e.g.) Yosemite and see for yourself?
Ah, what's the use? You obviously didn't know it before it was polluted.
DEAR EPA-
Since you know everything else, please tell the state of Utah how to do 2 things that will significantly decrease the haze in our state-
1) Stop the high pressure system that sits over the Great Basin throughout the entire summer.
2) Stop nature's wildfires that burn, not only in Utah, but in California, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho and all other surrounding states.
Without these 2 problems, the coal plant's particulates would not be a factor.
Waiting patiently for your answers, Mr. Obama.
Forget Obama. The EPA is not beholden to him. If it hasn't done its "homework" to test particulates, and ascertain the results, the origins to even a minimum of credibility, then rail on; otherwise, do the research that you think they've left behind.
If all our governmental departments and agencies are as blind to reality as you and others purport, what are we doing here, allowing them to do anything? Still, in the State of WA, the last coal-operated power plant has bitten the dust, and nobody in WA is complaining about the outcome; this, from a State that typically takes care of its own. Without the military, Boeing, and Microsoft, WA State will still 'carry on'.
Funny, but the pictures included in this article are clear as a bell. I see no haze at all.
The only haze is the smoke and mirrors that the EPA is shoving down the throats of the American people and American industry.
The EPA and those that support their over zealous regulations are ruining the American economy, the American people and the American way of life. The tree huggers of the world need to be reigned in and put under proper control.
A better idea, instead of the EPA telling Utah to cut the haze, why don't we cut the EPA. They are becoming too intrusive in everyday life. Just like TSA, HHS, POTUS, and all the rest. Cut them all off.
This EPA order will backfire as the power of these plants goes to Las Vegas and Los Angeles! The EPA already shut down the Nuclear plant here in SoCal. Power costs will double. But, in the end the Mayor of Los Angeles will have the Dirtiest City in the World Still and Half Billion Dollar Deficit Still and 1/2 of the city population getting welfare assistance! How does the EPA expect them to keep their kids warm or cool if their power bills rise even more! It is bad enough the economy is so bad that unemployment is 20 plus percent here and kids are starving, now they will be stressed by heat or cold! The government needs to get out of our lives! The Federal government is bloated and a waste of money!
Your comment, Don-1008454, implies that the EPA is calling for these plants to be shut down. That is NOT TRUE. Rather, the EPA is merely requiring these plants to "improve control of pollution". Why do you oppose this?
Many of us (the American people) are not happy with Utah's big business dumping their trash into OUR National Parks (or OUR atmosphere). You are free to live in filth so long as you keep it entirely to yourself.
As we approached Ogden, Utah from the east on I84, the Wasatch mountains loomed before us. Rounding a mountain bend near dusk, a dark floating mass came into view. It was like fog except that it was nearly black. Was there a fire ahead? Did a fuel truck explode?
As we proceeded into the ominous cloud, it became apparent it was a strange particulate smog that smelled of burnt coal. It went on for several miles until darkness made determining its extent virtually impossible.
After we left Ogden (thankfully) behind us, an internet search turned up the following to satisfy our curiosity:
http://www.uphe.org/latest-news/lawsuit-against-rio-tintokennecott-for-violating-the-clean-air-act
Utah is "business friendly" for sure. In fact, Utah is business' b!tch.
Is THIS what you want for America ? It is what the GOP wants.
Buy American ! Buy Local ! Support America’s middle class ! Support Women’s rights ! Support Civil Rights ! Protect God’s Green Earth ! Vote Democrat ! Obama/Biden 2012 !
Ian, Nice try, But Ogden is hundreds of miles away from both of these power plants and if you know anything about living around the Rocky Mountains, you would know that any "smog" from a power plant in emery county has exactly zero chance of making over the mountains to settle around Ogden! Nice try, but you and the EPA are full of @!$%#! If your theory were right, then tell me why the smog in L.A. doesn't Settle in the Shenandoah Vally? Enviro whackos are all liars!
Who said that cloud came from THESE power plants poolman1? If it did not, that simply means there are other major polluters in and around Ogden. Thanks for pointing that out.
Look at the link. Apparently Ogden's physicians are quite concerned about the pollution there. Do you consider them "Enviro whackos" as well?
Do you run a business selling gas masks ? If so, set up a roadside stand on I84 east of Ogden. You should do well.
I can agree with Buy American! Buy Local! Support the middle class and so on but not the vote democrat part. Republicans have a better history.
We always buy as close to home as possible. Buy in our community, if not here buy in the county then state then US then North America, western hemisphere. We avoid China. And will pay 10 cents extra for local.
Friends don't let friends eat imported shimp.
Iam Emdee-
You were the one who said that "it became apparent it was a strange particulate smog that smelled of burnt coal." Obviously you were stating that this ominous black cloud was coal smoke. I agree with poolman1. You obviously know very little about the Salt Lake Valley and Utah in general. This article was dealing with National Parks and coal plants in Central and Southern Utah. What did your little experience have to do with the article? NOTHING !! Two totally different topics of which you know very little about either so BUTT OUT!
Gelter,.......
Are you now suggesting that there are NO coal consuming industries in or around Ogden, Utah? Please say that you are. The (indisputable) truth awaits you.
Surely, you folks must simply be attempting to obfuscate this issue. It is hard to believe you could be so completely ignorant about an area where you (seem to) claim to reside.
Why have none of you even acknowledged the link to Utah Physicians for Healthy Environment and their Lawsuit against Rio Tinto/Kennecott for violating the Clean Air Act ???
See: http://www.uphe.org/latest-news/lawsuit-against-rio-tintokennecott-for-violating-the-clean-air-act
Could it be that you simply have no answer to the charges of these learned physicians and all their inconvenient data?
I am standing in downtown Ogden, at this very second, at 21st South and Wall Avenue. I am looking to the east and see the Wasatch mountains. I look to the north, south and east and see for probably 30 miles in each direction, with no haze or pollution. The air smells clean and pure! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IN THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!! In the summer and (sometimes) winter this valley gets inversions. They are phenomena of nature. That is when a haze covers the valley. It is caused more from cars than any coal plants, which are no where near Ogden. Inversions are also the direct results of wildfires which burn all over the west in the summertime. It becomes trapped here because of the Great Basin that Utah exists in. Can the EPA tell us how to control the weather? Should we just not drive anymore? Can the EPA stop all of the wildfires in California, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, etc., etc.? Next time you see a house on fire, walk up and take a piss on it. You will be doing as much to save it as the EPA is doing to stop pollution in the National Parks.
Gelter,......
What sort of natural "inversions" produce dark particulate clouds? Do your automobiles run on coal in Ogden?
There is no doubt you have (some relatively) good air days in Ogden. But what, pray tell, are these physicians alarmed about such that they would put up this website? See: http://www.uphe.org/latest-news/lawsuit-against-rio-tintokennecott-for-violating-the-clean-air-act ......but, perhaps you believe those physicians "HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IN THE HELL (THEY) ARE TALKING ABOUT!!" either. Oh, if they only had your wisdom and scientific acumen.
You can probably thank your upwind neighbors for any good air you breathe. Ogden is a pollution nightmare and is getting worse. You should be sister cities with Port Arthur, Texas.
For your consideration:
http://www.gscutah.com/
http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/ProductLines/Nuclear_Fuel/western_zirconium_plant.shtm
http://www.atk.com/
http://www.manta.com/c/mms0917/sinnecot-hydrocarbon-tech
According to http://www.uphe.org/journal-research/air-pollution-and-health-a-critical-issue-for-utah-physicians:
We will leave it to you to explain this and only report our own experience. But, judging by the comments of others (such as those above), that experience is far from unique or extraordinary.
Stop it. You are just embarrassing yourself.
You can look up all of the articles that you want on the internet. Take it from someone who has lived here for the past 32 years, there are NO DARK PARTICULATE CLOUDS. NO COAL SMELL IN THE AIR. PERIOD.
Now move onto something you know about personally instead of making assumptions based upon self-serving internet articles.
Gelter,......
Your refusal to address Utah Physicians for Healthy Environment and their Lawsuit against Rio Tinto/Kennecott for violating the Clean Air speaks for itself.
Perhaps, in those 32 years, you have not visited other areas. While Utah (particularly Ogden) has gotten dirtier, much of the country has moved in the opposite (cleaner) direction. Get out from under that cloud. Take a trip (upwind of Ogden). Discover fresh air.
See: http://www.uphe.org/latest-news/lawsuit-against-rio-tintokennecott-for-violating-the-clean-air-act