February, 10 2009, 11:00am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Lynn Davis, Nevada Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association, 702-318-6524, cell: 702-281-7380
Great Basin National Park Spared from Proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant
Statement by NPCA Nevada Program Manager Lynn Davis
WASHINGTON
The National Parks Conservation Association applauds the recent decision to postpone the development of the Ely Energy Center, which threatened to degrade the air quality in Great Basin, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.
Visitors go to our national parks expecting fresh, clean air, and breathtaking views, and this decision is critical to helping ensure that the air in our parks is healthy for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.
A report issued by NPCA last May listed Great Basin as one of 10 national parks most at risk from new coal-fired power plants. More than 150 of the 390 parks in the National Park System are located in areas of the country that fail to meet basic healthy air standards.
Nevada has a wealth of renewable energy sources, including one of the highest concentrations of solar potential in the nation. We support NV Energy's decision to move away from dirty power and believe this choice brings us a step closer to energy efficiency and clean energy sources that, when developed in a responsible way, will preserve the precious resources of our nation's parks.
NPCA is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing the U.S. National Park System.
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