(CN) - Six power companies will have to spend $168 million to reduce air pollution from the Four Corners Power Plant on the Navajo reservation near Shiprock, N.M.
The settlement with the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency will reduce harmful emissions by 5,540 tons per year, the Justice Department said Wednesday.
The power companies must spend $160 million to improve controls of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, $6.7 million on health and environmental mitigation projects for tribal members, and a $1.5 million civil penalty.
Arizona Public Service Company is the operator and primary owner of the plant. El Paso Electric, the Public Service Company of New Mexico, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, and Tucson Electric Power Company are co-owners; Southern California Edison Company is a former co-owner.
The settlement resolves accusations the power companies violated New Source Review provisions of the Clean Air Act by modifying the Four Corners Power Plant without required permits or installing and operating the best available air pollution control technology.
Citizen groups, including Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment, To' Nizhoni Ani and National Parks Conservation Association, are co-plaintiffs in the settlement.
Diné is the Navajo word for Navajo. To' Nizhoni Ani means "the forgotten people" in the Athapaskan language.
Shiprock is the "capital" of the Navajo reservation.
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