They are our neighbors. They live to the north of us in rural Arizona. Some are Native Americans, many still live in primitive conditions; other folks dwell in small communities, eking out livelihoods. Various are generational Arizonans, whose pioneer forefathers settled this state.
They are us and we are them. What affects their lives, affects ours. If we get that, if we understand many of their jobs send electrical power and water into our valley, our homes and businesses, then we’ll awaken to one more critical issue in this election.
Threats to jobs dependent on coal and its affordable energy are real. They’re spreading nationwide. The aggressor is the radical Environmental Protection Agency, now firmly established as the “The Fourth Branch of Government” in Washington. It continues to muscle its agendas, never satiated, ever introducing the next hurdle, apparently unstoppable when it comes to its war on people.
The EPA is solidly backed by President Obama who vows war against coal. You think this is just an Appalachian problem, where our neighbors to our east, hundreds of miners, are losing their jobs?
Yahoo News (Sept. 21) reports: “More than 200 generating units across 25 states are scheduled for shut down, in part due to EPA regulations.” What Yahoo didn’t talk about is what’s happening in Arizona.
Consider our East Valley community, which is fighting for stability amid job losses, higher food and gas prices and has just emerged from one of our long hot summers. This beautiful area will die without water and affordable A/C. Well, hold on for potential skyrocketing utility bills if the EPA isn’t blocked.
Salt River Project, a major, valley power provider, tells me “yes,” it would have to pass along any further costs incurred. In fact, SRP’s recent environmental improvements, as per the EPA, have already forced the company to seek an average 3.9 percent customer rate increase. (The SRP board of directors approved the rate hike Thursday.)
What you should know is SRP and other power companies have already met EPA standards to reduce emissions 40 percent. Now suddenly, new regulations to the tune of $1.1 billion are threatening the Navajo Generating station which moves most of Arizona’s water. And, three other plants face the same thing. Some warn they will be forced to shut down if the Feds push this.
The EPA will tell you this is about cleaner air, reducing nitrogen emissions. But coal-powered operators tell us there is no proof the EPA’s newest demands will make any difference.
Who doesn’t want clean air and water? But, now we’ve entered the subjective realm with our generating plants. What is clean and at what cost to our economy and quality of life?
The attack on Northern Arizona’s economy is not new. Several decades back, the vitality of rural communities was buried by the EPA. Forest harvests were closed over such things as spotted owls (who most likely burned in the resulting forest fire infernos). Saw mills and support businesses, by the dozens, were shut down, no lumber to process; generations of Northern Arizona families scrambled to survive, choking in jobless misery. Now, here we go again, another EPA attack.
Gov. Brewer says, “This is the worst possible time to enact these regulations,” And, she adds, “The EPA’s actions are about politics not science.”
This month, the Republican-controlled U.S. House passed a bill to stop Obama’s “war on coal,” and limit the EPA’s regulatory authority. Good luck in the Senate.
Interestingly, Obama downgrades our coal industry just as Japan is looking to ease coal regulation as it moves away from nuclear power. Hum.
I agree with the governor. This latest EPA strike is about “politics, not science.” Don’t wait for more unemployment or rising utility rates. If you’re not registered to vote yet, you know what to do. Then take a friend with you to the polls.
East Valley resident Linda Turley-Hansen (turleyhansen@gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist and former Phoenix veteran TV anchor.
chatmandu002 posted at 8:29 am on Sun, Sep 30, 2012.
Linda,
President Obama was very earnest about his intentions on cutting carbon based fuels. He stated very publicly that the price of carbon based fuels would have to increase so that renewable forms of energy could compete. The EPA is using its authority to restrict and or eliminate carbon based fuels. Remember the President wants to fundamentally change the way things are done. This fundamental change is for the government to take control of the energy industry through rules, regulations and subsidies for certain energy sources. If Obama is re-elected the coal industry is dead. Another 4 four years of more anti-coal rules and regulations would render the coal industry unable to recover. The next target for Obama's EPA will be the natural gas industry and a campaign to stop the fracking process. Obama and his administration consider the lost jobs in the energy industry as the price we have to pay for their ideology. Besides, more people dependent on government assistance is part of their big government solution to all problems.
Bodacious posted at 8:45 am on Sun, Sep 30, 2012.
I agree completely. The EPA (Employment Prevention Agency) is 100 fold more about politics than our "environment". President Obama (the worst President in history) is doing everything in his power to destroy as many jobs as possible to reach his utopia of everyone on the government dole so they can be controlled by the government. He is using the anti-American Gov. agency, the EPA, to further his radical agenda. The EPA is just another, of many, money wasting monster government agencies which needs to be euthanized.
fae4now posted at 10:36 am on Sun, Sep 30, 2012.
Really? What part of sulfur dioxide (acid rain, soot), nitrogen oxide (ozone, smog) or mercury (toxic air emission) is POLITICAL?
The coal industry is responsible for over 90% of these first two substances released into the air by power plants. Fact or POLITICAL?
The decision to close the oldest and dirtiest plants rather than try to upgrade them was a financial decision of the owners. POLITICAL or economic? (Bloomberg Businessweek)
Here's Linda, moving backwards again! I thought we had all agreed long ago that we need cleaner energy, good for the environment AND people. But money (cheap energy) trumps all yet again while some ignore this state's greatest and cheapest natural resource (sun/solar).
If Arizona were more forward thinking we could lead the nation in clean solar energy, make oodles of money and create lots of safe, clean good paying jobs. And our President Obama wants to do something about it - that must make it all dirty, scandalous, political - right?
Linda and her pals needs to change gears and get it in 'drive' . Linda, honey, that's the one with a 'D' like in Democrat, not 'R' like in Republican or Reverse.
Centrist posted at 12:04 pm on Sun, Sep 30, 2012.
Does this columnist ever do anything but a cut and paste job from fox news. Clearly not. Her so-called evidence is all proven inaccurate. Essentially, all she has done is make several assumptions that are each inconsistent with actual industry and practice.
The 2011 underground mining jobs are at their highest level since 1996.
The University of Massachusetts recently conducted a study which confirms that the EPA Rules she complains of would result in a net creation of jobs; not a job loss as she and fox news would have you believe.
Also, less than 1% of layoffs in the coal industry are attributed to regulation.
Do I even need to mention that health experts agree that coal emissions are dangerous???
In short, the Obama administration has simply implemented long overdue and legally required clean air regulations to protect public health without hurting electric reliability or employment, and much of the transition away from coal is due to the rise of cheaper, cleaner natural gas.
How do we go about getting Linda to stop her babbling on.
Spamola5 posted at 12:29 pm on Sun, Sep 30, 2012.
We need Jobs, and clean air how hard is it to figure out' We live in AZ sun city solar, jobs with benefits, That do not cost 1/2 your paycheck' AZ wake up and smell the pollution'
aaarrrggghhh posted at 12:36 pm on Sun, Sep 30, 2012.
How nice, yet another White voice allegedly speaking for Native Americans. Arizona, rather than worrying about an old and dirty source of energy like coal, should be an absolute world leader in solar energy. But we aren't because we have far too many uninformed like Hansen. Coal has been known since the 19th century to be a seriously problematic energy source including its environmental effects and its harmful effects on people. But people like Hansen can't learn from the lessons of the past. Yes, if it were up to people like Hansen, we'd all be living in the 19th century. The EPA is hardly "radical," no matter how many times Hansen and her ilk claim that it is. Let's stop focusing on dirty energy sources and let's lead Arizona into the future. But I doubt we will be able to.
Mike McClellan posted at 2:55 pm on Sun, Sep 30, 2012.
What Linda neglects to tell us is that America is increasingly turning to natural gas to generate electricity.
In the coal has dropped from 50% of the electrical generating power to 35%. At the same time, natural gas use has risen from 21% to 30%. The cost of coal is higher than that of natural gas, too. And dirties.
pc posted at 3:56 pm on Sun, Sep 30, 2012.
This article is more about politics than science as no evidence is presented what so ever. The EPA says one thing and the coal producers (a truly unbiased source who, of course, never in their best interest would say there's "no proof") say it's not true. Pure rhetoric and not at all compelling. I'd expect a news "professional" to back up their assertions (even in an opinion piece) a little better than that.
jstack6 posted at 5:22 pm on Sun, Sep 30, 2012.
Linda you need to check your facts, It's the republican who have subsidiesed COAL and OIL for over 50 years. It makes deadly pollution and uses tons of water.
President O BAMA has tried to stop these payments for dirty power but congress won't vote to stop the flow of money to big industries.
While we have photons coming down in Arizona you want to dig up dirty COAL and burn it using clean water . Mining jobs cause black lung so your killing the COAL workers.
I have solar hot water and solar PV. It runs my home and car AND i make extra and give it back to SRP at half price who sells it full price to my neighbors. I help everyone, what do you do by spreading poor information instead of FACTS.
[sad]
sockratties posted at 6:04 pm on Sun, Sep 30, 2012.
Linda... it's hard to believe we need more gas than you provide with your sudden outpouring of concern for those who don't live in your gated community. Will you and Brewer profit from their black lung disease after privatizing Medicare? Brewer has yet to support anything that she or her cronies don't make a buck from.
Dirty industries would love to see the evisceration of the EPA. We must resist denial of science and history that prove detrimental effects of coal are real. Health, climate and environment all suffer. Try to remember only 50 years ago when we had to wear breathing masks on air alert days. Only the EPA has reversed industry's assault on our quality of life.
k33j88 posted at 6:25 am on Mon, Oct 1, 2012.
The technology is here to remove the majority of pollutants emitted by the coal-burning industry. The war on coal is alive and well, no thanks to the EPA and its friend in the White House. There is a moratorium on oil drilling , coal-fired plants. The gas industry has survived due to privately held lands being pursued for exploration. The POTUS hasn't the best interests of our nation at heart. He'd rather reward the "failed" solar "green" companies election fundraisers.
Centrist posted at 8:12 am on Mon, Oct 1, 2012.
k33j88:
I don't know from where you derive your information, but you are incorrect about nearly everything you argue:
"The war on coal is alive and well, no thanks to the EPA and its friend in the White House." ---- There is no WAR. The coal industry is alive and well under this administration, There are only mild regulations being implemented. I am truly sorry if you have been lead to believe otherwise.
"There is a moratorium on oil drilling , coal-fired plants." ------ False again.
"The POTUS hasn't the best interests of our nation at heart." ---- What a rediculous thing to say. Not only is it rediculous, it is baseless.
"He'd rather reward the "failed" solar "green" companies election fundraisers." ---- Boy, are you clueless. His adminstration's investment in this field IS in the best interest of our nation.
THINK K33, THINK.
downtownresident posted at 12:42 pm on Mon, Oct 1, 2012.
Linda,
You fail to mention that this political ad has been approved by Mitt Romney.
By the way this ad, too, is about politics and has no basis in fact, or science.
ACE posted at 6:00 am on Wed, Oct 3, 2012.
down . .
If you want to take shots at theories expounded on with no basis in fact or science, lets start with global warming. Even its most ardent advocates have stopped using the term because there is no basis in fact or science. In July, 2011 NASA, one of the strongest voices crying out against global warming, had to do an about face due to the results from its own satellites that proved we have been Gored Moore and Moore with false claims in order to achieve a political and ideological result.
Completing the Palo Verde approved plans using the latest industry technologies will solve our long-term energy needs in this state and the resulting lower energy rates will protect our seniors. Wind and solar are expensive and also cause extreme ecological damage.
k33j88 . . . Don't try to sell your junk position to the people in West Virginia. Obama's policies are killing the coal industry, killing household economic stability and destroying lives.
DFCheney posted at 10:59 am on Wed, Oct 3, 2012.
1) The EPA steps in to regulate when the industry fails to remedy the problem. Cases in point: EPA regulates forests in areas where lumber industry fails to renew the resource. Could industry have done better - probably, but they didn't. Conversely and contrary to Fed Regs, New England lobstermen mark and throwback adult female lobsters ensuring survival of the species. Result lobster is cheaper today than it has been in 30 years. Next up - the Fracking Industry. If they don't clean up the groundwater they will be regulated out of existence, as well they should. Cheap energy only benefits the living.
2) The incontrovertible truth is that coal kills both directly and indirectly and the real cost of coal should be include the cost of the health effects including everything from allergies and asthma to heart disease and black lung which is now on the rise 1st time since the 1940s. So lets not kid ourselves by saying coal miners and their way of life need protecting. This isn't the Ladies Auxiliary Quilting Club. Coal miners have a life expectancy almost 20 years less than the average American and "...are 50% more likely to die of cancer and 42% more likely to be born with birth defects compared with other people in Appalachia."
3) There is at this point not even the smallest question that the Earth is warming, so don't even go there. The only question remaining is whether human effort can reverse the process. But undoubtedly the current trend will be disastrous..
4) The EPA created by Richard Nixon by the way has a mission to protect the ignorant from greedy. Judging from this article they have their hands full.
downtownresident posted at 11:24 am on Wed, Oct 3, 2012.
Ace,
If you bothered to do any meaningful research, you'd see that global warming is, indeed, a fact!
It's the cause that's in question. The earth has for millions of years gone through heating and cooling periods. Man has not had much influence on that, until the industrial revolution, when we began to burn coal and oil.
Now, only blind fools would take the stand that man has had no effect in the current warming cycle. Trying to stick your collective heads in the sand and ignoring the problems caused by POLLUTION is the work of fools.
Linda spouts the party and church line, just like the good little Mormon that she is.
Bluepoet posted at 3:27 pm on Wed, Oct 3, 2012.
Linda,
There is no war on people working in coal, except for those you blindly follow, who would remove what pitiful safety standards already exist, in an industry that kills its workers, slowly, and painfully, along with their families, all so that "some" of us can turn on Fox News, and decry the poor people's plight, and how they are dependent on government handouts (instead of the company store).
Please...please spare us the stupifying rhetoric, of a political party that would put power over the welfare of a nation, and bring the government to a standstill, while "Rome burns".
As for the coal industry--Obama, ever the pragmatist (not a socialist to anyone who really knows what the word means), set aside a lot of money, in his stimulus, for coal research, right along with solar, wind, and several other possible alternatives to oil...
What has the coal industry done with that money, besides run a PR campaign? That's the question you should be asking, as a member of the third estate. Not this drivel about the plight of the small town existence "ekers", who must bow to the horrible, big government EPA--possibly the most toothless agency in the entire bureaucracy...
sockratties posted at 7:16 am on Thu, Oct 4, 2012.
Linda… In your article you mentioned the “spotted owl” as if it were being preserved as a symbol of radical conservationists and scorned it because the recent fires probably killed most of them anyway. What arrogance! Your efforts to minimize the importance or OUR environment for the advancement of YOUR greed is near-sighted ignorance.
In every environment there is at least one species that can be identified as most fragile. In some places it may be a green tree frog or a type of insect or spider. In our forests it’s a spotted owl. When wildlife is threatened by environmental changes the most fragile are the first to be impacted. When that species becomes extinct the next most fragile will become the indicator. Eventually a point of no return is reached and the forest will die, animals, trees and all, regardless or our actions.
An increase or decrease in spotted owl population is a reliable indicator of environmental pressure on our entire ecosystem. In Arizona forests demise of the spotted owl will mean the environment has deteriorated to the point that animal life in general is threatened. Environmentalists aren’t trying to save the spotted owl they’re trying to prevent the first casualty of a chain reaction.
mwd2525 posted at 11:49 am on Mon, Oct 8, 2012.
Im glad to see the majority of readers are not buying the usual tripe from LTH. I love how the extent of her research,in a failed effort to show some journalism,she talks to a SRP rep. Like SRP is going to lower rates for any reason at all. I wont go into all the mis information she has put out there but I would like to ask her where her outrage was when SRP raised their rates over 10 times between 2002 & 2010.....yes thats not a typo,10 times for a total of over 26%!!!!!!!! I dont have to tell anyone who our president was over those years. You seem really angry at SRP's 3.9% hike and make some unsubstantiated claim its due to EPA regulation. Please LTH, link me to all the articles you wrote while our rates were going up 26% thru 02-08!!!!!!!! Otherwise you have ZERO credibility.
TommyLasorda posted at 10:03 am on Sat, Oct 13, 2012.
Your slam on President Obama masked as a defense of people and jobs is, what I could only wish, something amazing. It isn't however, given the political right's (that would be you Linda) incessant spin on fact to pursue your agenda. This coal/pollution issue has been around since the early 70's., remember acid rain? The big, bad EPA and their evil desire to keep our environment liveable for us and future generations. Your beloved coal industry has lobbied against your health interests and fought the implementation of clean, alternative fuel and power sources for at least the past 40 years. Maybe if they had the foresight and at least a passing interest in the well being of anybody or anything outside their profit margins they could have gotten ahead of the curve and currently be producing energy from the sun, wind, water, natural gas, hydro-fusion, etc. Stop with the Fox News spin Linda, use your platform to espouse what's "right", not what your political party wants.
cchamb2 posted at 9:19 am on Mon, Oct 15, 2012.
Ms. Turley obviously forgets that the largest Superfund cleanup site in the country begins at the General Dynamic (formerly Motorola) plant at Granite Reef and McDowell and extends all the way to the west end of Sky Harbor.
She should live there.
Maybe then she wouldn't denigrate the role of the EPA.
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