U.S. Senator Mark Begich today made the following statement after it was announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation have reached a consent decree with Golden Valley Electric Association to restart its Healy Clean Coal Power Plant:

“I am pleased that EPA and DEC have reached a settlement with GVEA to restart the Healy power plant and that GVEA will install new air pollution control devices. Interior residents need relief from the high cost of electricity that the cheaper coal-generated power will provide.

“This is an important step toward a final agreement that hinges on judicial approval of the decree after a one-month period for comment. I encourage the public to participate in the comment process.”

Sen. Begich has spoken with EPA Region 10 officials several times encouraging them resolve the permitting issue.