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‘Arizona can Count on Coal’

 Today, Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) spoke at the American Energy Jobs Rally on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, where thousands of people from across the country gathered in defense of the mining industry. Miners, plant workers and concerned citizens came to Washington to show support for coal and opposition to President Obama’s radical agenda. After the rally, Rep. Gosar issued the following statement:

“Arizona is right in the cross-hairs in the Administration’s War on Coal. Their assault is costing us jobs, revenue and affordable energy. We aren’t going to let President Obama get away with his radical agenda. Mining jobs and our nation depend on Congress fighting back. I’m here to lead the fight. Arizona can count on coal.” 

(Rep. Gosar rallies the crowd, October 29, 2013)

(Rep. speaks about the importance of mining jobs, October 29, 2013)

(Miners from across the country attended the rally, October 29, 2013)

Background:
When Congress rejected President Obama’s Cap and Trade Plan, his Administration began looking for ways to administratively circumvent Congress. The Clean Air Act’s Regional Haze provision is their primary avenue to attack existing coal power plants. Regulations were developed on all four of Arizona’s coal power plants and its coal mine: the Navajo Generating Station near Page, Coronado Generating Station in St. Johns, the Cholla Power Plant near Joseph City and the Apache Generating Station near Willcox as well as the Black Mesa Coal Mine near Kayenta on the Hopi Tribe’s Reservation. The Administration’s onslaught on coal could directly cost Arizona alone nearly 2,000 jobs and nearly 6,000mw of cheap base load energy, enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes.

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