Navajo Nation Approves Solar Projects For Local Communities

By Ron Dungan
Published: Thursday, April 15, 2021 - 6:01pm
Updated: Thursday, April 15, 2021 - 6:05pm
Audio icon Download mp3 (872.32 KB)
Coverage of tribal natural resources is supported in part by Catena Foundation

The Navajo Nation has approved a couple of solar projects that will provide electricity to tribal communities.

For decades, a number of Navajos have lived in the shadow of power plants.

But many of their homes lacked electricity.

Some families burned leftover coal from a mine that fed the Navajo Generating Station. Both the mine and the power plant have closed.

The tribe recently announced plans for a 200 megawatt project near Cameron, and a 70 megawatt project in Red Mesa.

The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority is expected to bring electricity to hundreds of Navajo homes.