While I'd like nothing better than to believe that this nightmare that has visited Black Mesa Dineh and traditional Hopi residents for approximately 35 years, that Mohave Generating Station and Black Mesa mine would be things of the past, this is simply not the case. On the surface these closures sounds like good things, but they are not what they seem to be, and others need to be cognizant of this fact. Neither so far is there a full shutdown at both.

Press is out there that Mohave Generating Station will be keeping on workers at least to the end of January 2006, and possibly to the end of the year. Black Mesa mine is also keeping a small work force. This information was divulged in a fairly recent article that appeared in the Gallup Independent. This is only one of several sources. For more, please see the dropdown menu below. Another source is Black Mesa Indigenous Support.

Another key factor that cannot be ignored — Peabody Energy is still pursuing a Life-of-Mine permit at Black Mesa. Why would something like this still be in the works if these closures are permanent? The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) is still conducting its studies, and it is business as usual in spite of the "closures." According to Richard Holbrook at OSM while the Black Mesa mine is no longer producing coal, negotiations are still in process between the Hopi Tribe, the Navajo Nation, and Southern California Edison (SCE, major owner of the Mohave Generating Station — 56%).

SCE has said it will make the improvements in the Mohave Generating Station so that the power plant's closure will be until around 2010. Mr. Holbrook mentioned the possibility of it reopening in 2009. Then it would the coal from Black Mesa mine (its only provider), and the coal would be slurried through a pipeline.

In the meantime, the OSM's Summary Draft EIS is expected out in the spring of 2006. While it was said initially that this report would be available this winter, this has been described as wishful thinking, thus the delay. Another comment period will follow the presentation of this report. Presently new links are being added to OSM's site, one in particular which will present the USGS study on the C-Aquifer, the alternative water source being studies for use to slurry the coal from the Black Mesa mine to Mohave Generating Station. Something else that cannot be forgotten is Peabody's lease request for the N-Aquifer as back up to the C-Aquifer so that it will always have access to a water source on Black Mesa. Please note that Peabody still denies doing anything to affect water levels related to the N-Aquifer.

Peabody Energy is one of the largest coal corporations internationally. Its stock continues to go up. It continues its expansion to other countries as well as in the United States. Plenty of articles appear on the internet, tooting "clean coal" technology. But is this really the case? Read the press the coal companies and the Department of Energy put out there.

• Black Gold or Black Death?
• Coal as fuel: cheap, available, controversial
• Coal is Up From the Ashes
• DOE - Fossil Energy: DOE's Clean Coal Technology Program

So, how can anyone claim victory with these "closures?" Eyes should be wide open. Ears should be listening. Check the Black Mesa Project EIS page at OSM regularly. When the comment period in the next stage appears, make comments in support of the people who live at Black Mesa. Stay tuned for new information.

The middle of April and still no rough draft of the OSM's EIS? Could this be because of those secret negotiations that have been taking place? Want to read some of the older leaked results of those meetings?

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[Please note the "studies" on the C-Aquifer, one called Groundwater Flow Model of the C Aquifer in Arizona and New Mexico, prepared by S. S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc., described as "prepared for the Salt River Project on behalf of the use of Mohave Generating Station Co-Owners." This is a very large pdf file, so it may take some time to download, depending on your connection. The other is the USGS "study." This is a much smaller file with a very auspicious sounding title, "Numerical Ground-Water Change Model of the C Aquifer and Effects of Ground-Water Withdrawals on Stream Depletions in Selected Reaches of Clear Creek, Chevelon Creek, and the Little Colorado River, Northeastern AZ."]

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