Power plant changes could strain Navajo Nation budget
Navajo Nation officials say plans to shut down three units at the Four Corners power plant could strain the tribal budget. KJZZ's Al Macias reports.
Tribal officials say they had been prepared for the coal-fired units to close in two years.
But Arizona Public Service, the plant's operator says decommissioning will start later this year when it completes the purchase of two other units at the plant. A tribal spokesperson says the shutdown would mean a $9 million annual loss from coal royalties. The coal is mined on the reservation and used to power the plant
APS plans to shut down the three older units to meet federal air pollution standards.
Meanwhile Navajo tribal officials are planning for a ten percent cut in next year's budget.
A tribal spokesman says no layoffs are planned.
