Following a protest by environmentalists and alternative energy business interests on Wednesday at its headquarters, Tucson Electric Power announced that it would not purchase the San Juan coal mine located in New Mexico.
On Wednesday, the coalition of progressives in a letter to TEP urged the utility to invest in renewable energy rather than purchasing the out-of-state San Juan coal mine. Dan Millis, an organizer with the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter claimed that over 650 southern Arizona residents sent letters to TEP President David Hutchens in opposition to the mine’s purchase.
Millis released a statement on Friday claiming that the company caved to “concerns raised by Arizona faith, clean energy and community leaders.” The release did not specify which “faith” or community leaders lead the fight.
Claudio Rodriguez – Food Production Coordinator – Tierra Y Libertad Organization
Katharine Kent -President -The Solar Store
Doug Bland – Executive Director – Arizona Interfaith Power and Light
Robert Neifert – Chief Operating Officer – Stelcor Energy
Barbara Warren – Director – Arizona Chapter, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Issue Team Co – Coordinator for Climate Change – Progressive Democrats of America
Vince Pawlowski – Association for the Tree of Life, Tucson
Randy Serraglio – Southwest Conservation Advocate – Center for Biological Diversity
Brian Wolff – Owner – Epic Café, Tucson
Kathy Ann Walsh – Phoenix/Tucson Broad Band Leader – Great Old Broads for Wilderness
Stacey Champion – Organizer – Rogue Green –
Dan Millis -Organizer – Sierra Club – Grand Canyon (Arizona) Chapter
Robert Bulechek – Owner – ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a plan to retire units 2 and 3 of the San Juan Generating Station as part a regional haze settlement agreement. Under the plan, units 1 and 4 of the plant will continue burning coal. TEP owns 20 percent of San Juan Generating Station.