The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says she agrees with Republican Gov. Susana Martinez that an alternative to dealing with haze-causing pollution at a New Mexico power plant should be worked out among stakeholders.
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said in a letter sent to the governor Monday that such an alternative would be in the environmental and economic best interests of the state.
Jackson signed a 90-day stay so the parties can evaluate alternatives for the San Juan Generating Station in northwestern New Mexico.
At issue is an EPA mandate that calls for Public Service Company of New Mexico to equip the coal-fired plant with selective catalytic reduction technology to cut pollutants that cause regional haze.
The utility and the Martinez administration favored a less costly plan for trimming haze.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.