By The Associated Press Jeff Richardson, Fairbanks News-Miner KTUU

10:37 a.m. AKDT, October 4, 2012
FAIRBANKS, Alaska—

The state of Alaska and a Fairbanks power utility have struck a deal with federal regulators to reopen a coal-burning power plant north of Denali National Park and Preserve.
   
Golden Valley Electric Association wants to restart the plant at Healy for a power source that's cheaper than diesel-powered generators.
   
The deal with the federal Environmental Protection Agency could bring the coal-fired power plant on line in two years.
   
It calls for GVEA to buy the plant from the state for $50 million and to install about $40 million in pollution control equipment.
   
GVEA says it will spend another $20 million to make the plant operate.
   
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (http://bit.ly/QTs8BC) reports that the plant's location near Denali Park played a major role in the EPA demand for added pollution controls.