A look at coal-powered plants to close
Here’s a look at the Navajo Generating Station plant and others in the Southwest that plan to close as utilities increasingly turn to cheaper or renewable sources of energy:
NAVAJO GENERATING STATION
Location: LeChee, Arizona, on the Navajo reservation
Output: One of three units shut down in September, leaving 1,500 megawatts
Owners: Salt River Project, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Arizona Public Service Co., NV Energy, Tucson Electric Power
Workforce: 500 before announcement of closure, more than 90% Navajo
Fuel source: Now-shuttered Kayenta Mine, coal jointly owned by Navajo and Hopi tribes
Planned closure: End of 2019
FOUR CORNERS POWER PLANT
Location: Fruitland, New Mexico, on the Navajo reservation
Output: Three of five units shut down in 2014, leaving 1,540 megawatts
Owners: Arizona Public Service Co., Public Service Co. of New Mexico, Salt River Project, Navajo Nation, Tucson Electric Power
Workforce: About 325, more than 80% Native American
Fuel source: Navajo Mine, owned by the Navajo Nation
Planned closure: By 2038
SAN JUAN GENERATING STATION
Location: Near Farmington, New Mexico
Output: Two of four units closed in 2017, leaving 924 megawatts
Owner: Public Service Co. of New Mexico
Workforce: About 200, 27% Navajo
Fuel source: San Juan
Mine in northwestern New Mexico
Planned closure: 2022
CHOLLA POWER PLANT
Location: Joseph City, Arizona
Output: One of four units shut down in 2015, leaving 782 megawatts
Owners: Arizona Public Service Co. and PacifiCorp Workforce: About 200 Fuel source: El Segundo Mine in northwestern New Mexico
Planned closure: 2025
CORONADO GENERATING STATION
Location: Near St. Johns, Arizona
Output: Two units, 773 megawatts Owner: Salt River Project Workforce: 200, about 10% Native American
Fuel source: Antelope Mine in Wyoming and Spring Creek Mine in Montana, delivered via rail line
Planned closure: Sometime in the next 15 years