Industry, NM officials and enviros battle over coal-fired energy Sithe Global Power LLC and the Navajo Nation are a major step closer to building a massive, coal-fired generating plant near Shiprock in northwest New Mexico. The Environmental Protection Agency approved an air quality permit on July 31 for the Desert Rock Power Plant. The Navajo government supports the project for its economic development potential. The plant will buy all its coal from Navajo-owned mines, generating about $50 million in annual royalties and taxes for the tribal government. Construction would create about 1,000 jobs, plus 400 permanent positions when the plant opens, said Frank Maisano, spokesman for Sithe Global's subsidiary, Desert Rock Energy Co. The Navajo government supports the project for its economic development potential. The plant will buy all its coal from Navajo-owned mines, generating about $50 million in annual royalties and taxes for the tribal government. Construction would create about 1,000 jobs, plus 400 permanent positions when the plant opens, said Frank Maisano, spokesman for Sithe Global's subsidiary, Desert Rock Energy Co. But Gov. Bill Richardson and New Mexico environmental groups vehemently oppose the project, which would neutralize state efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions. If built, the plant would emit about 12 million tons of carbon dioxide per year -- the equivalent of adding 1.5 million average cars to roads. Because the plant is on Navajo land, however, the state has no authority to stop it, said New Mexico Environment Department Secretary Ron Curry....