New rule puts West's largest coal-fired plant on track for less power generation, then closure

The federal government has come up with a final version of a rule meant to cut haze-causing emissions from the largest coal-fired power plant in the West.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision Monday reflects a compromise by tribal and federal officials, environmental groups and the owners of the Navajo Generating Station, which is on track to cease operations in 2044.

The rule gives the plant's owners the choice of either shutting down one of the 750-megawatt units or reducing power generation by an equal amount by 2020. The owners would have until 2030 to install pollution controls that would cut nitrogen-oxide emissions by 80 percent.

The plant ensures water deliveries to Phoenix and Tucson, helps fulfill water settlements, and fuels the economies of the Navajo and Hopi tribes.