June 2, 2007 - Navajo Generating Station, Page, AZ

Canon 5D, 24 - 105 mm f/4L IS @ 65 mm, f/8, 1/500 sec., ISO 200

The Navajo Generating Station is a 2300 megawatt power generating facility in Page, AZ. Coal-fired, it's three 774 foot high chimneys are said to be the tallest structures in Arizona. This image was taken on a mostly cloudy day from just across Lake Powell (a man-made lake created by the Glen Canyon Dam). Being naturally cynical, I wondered if the level of emissions seen here (the stacks are pretty much completely enveloped) had something to do with the cloud cover. Clearly (no pun intended), the "smoke" is blending in nicely with the clouds. The following day, which was mainly clear, the emission levels were barely noticeable.

I have also read that visibility at the nearby Grand Canyon has deteriorated since this plant became operational in the 1970's. I don't know if that's true or not, but it certainly seems plausible.