The physics of climate change suggest that we should move beyond fossil fuels to avoid costly and fatal consequences, but those fossils come with suffering for communities and businesses associated with the fossil fuel industry. This may take into account coal mining communities in places like Kentucky and West Virginia, but it is also playing out in the Navajo and Hopi countries of Arizona and New Mexico.
There are many coal plants located in or near the Navajo Nation, fed by associated coal mines, and a large source of jobs employed by Navajo and Hopi workers. Of these, the Navajo generating station and Kayanta mine have already been shuttered, while the Chola power plant is set to close in the next few years. The Four Corners plant in New Mexico has gained momentum with its planned 2031 retirement date.
There are many reasons for this. As economics favors cheap natural gas and renewables, U.S. In addition, Arizona Public Service (APS), an electric utility that owns parts of each of these three plants, underwent a leadership change earlier this year. New CEO Jeff Guldner announced plans to reach zero emissions for utilities with 45 percent of electricity from renovations by 2050. The shocking turn of events is that the APSA has spent nearly 40 40 million to fight the 2018 ballot proposal. 50 percent renewable by 2030.
In October, new President Jonathan Nez testified before the Arizona Corporation Commission that APS provides at least 193 193 million to help communities affected by the closed coal plant. NEZ needs consideration for workers who may lose their jobs, collaborate to help develop renewable energy vacation projects to change jobs and incomes, and help expand electricity consumption. A significant number of Navajo and Hopi homes are still not connected to the grid, which is a long-term challenge due to the cost of remediation.
Last Friday, the APSA submitted a proposal in its response, the Republic of Arizona said. It will provide about 14 4,144 million in various measures. This includes 100 100 million in direct funding for more than 10 years by 2038 and 2.5 2.5 million annually from the closure of the Four Corners plant. APS will provide 10 10 million to fund electrification projects and promises to run the new line 2,000 feet toward homes before charging for work.
Solar and wind
APS Navajo also indicates readiness to move forward with renewable projects on the nation, now requesting proposals for 250 MW in new projects and another 350 MW after the closure of Four Corners. The 55-MW solar array is currently operating near the retired Kayanta mine, the first step towards a new source of energy in the region.
Notably, the APS is currently seeking the approval of the Corporation Commission for the rate hike which will increase the revenue by about $ 169 million. But the utility also wants to present the deal as a way to get it right by long-dependent communities.
President Nez supports the APS proposal. “This Just Energy Transition Plan will place the Navajo nation as a national leader in solar and wind energy and help usher in a new era of home electrification on the Navajo nation,” Nez said.
In his testimony last month, Nez said, “The nation has been a fundamental-but-undiscovered partner in Arizona’s significant growth over the past 75 years. The Nation is proud of its novice workers at power plants and mines, but it understands that the ground is settling under its feet again. “
