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 / Modified apr 3, 2019 10:16 a.m.

Navajo Nation President Proclaims Renewable Energy Top Priority

The proclamation comes days after the tribal council voted to drop its bid for the West's largest coal-fired power plant. by Laurel Morales, Fronteras Desk

navajo energy vl VIEW LARGER Navajo National Vice President Myron Lizer and President Jonathan Nez hold up the Navajo Sunrise Proclamation in Window Rock, the tribe's capital, on April 2, 2019.
Navajo Nation via Fronteras Desk

FLAGSTAFF — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez signed a proclamation Tuesday that embraces a shift to clean energy development. This comes days after the tribal council voted to drop its bid for the West's largest coal-fired power plant.

The proclamation says the tribe will provide off-grid solar to the 15,000 or so Navajo households still without electricity. It will build more utility-scale solar energy projects. Its second solar farm goes online in two months. The tribe also plans to build a solar panel assembly plant to create more jobs.

Nez said it's time for the land to heal from coal.

"The opportunity is now," Nez said. "The opportunity is here, ladies and gentlemen. Let us embrace it. Let the Navajo Nation continue to embrace change by being the leader in renewable energy projects in Indian Country."

Nez said the tribe is positioning itself to continue to provide energy for the West, as states like New Mexico and California sign legislation to go carbon free by 2045.

Fronteras Desk
This story is from the Fronteras Desk, a collaboration of Southwestern public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Fronteras Desk.
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