Native America Issues
What Can You Do?
Learn about renewable energy issues and how they affect you.
Send letters to the editors of local newspapers supporting renewable energy development and promoting your State’s preference for power.
Share this page
The Shonto Rural Electrification Program: power for western Navajo communities and beyond
Over the past 3 years, the Trust has partnered with Shonto, the Navajo Nation’s first local-governance-certified chapter, to establish a strong, community-based strategy to diversify its economy. One component of this strategy is a locally owned renewable-energy system retailer / installation company. To make the company a reality, we worked with the chapter to write a detailed business plan, educated the leadership about small renewable energy opportunities and options, and secured review of the plan by Sandia Laboratories and the Arizona Business Bank.
The Chapter has applied to the Arizona Sustainable Growth Fund to help finance some of the system costs for 20 families. It has formed a finance committee, which includes the vice president of the Arizona Business Bank, to develop a strategy to assist families that would still have balances in the range of $4,000. This process ensures a strong test run of the business concept.
To organize the business, the Chapter is partnering with the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and Dine Power Authority (DPA). As a result of these discussions, commitments were made and valuable business advice on the retail venture was received. The possibility of utility-scale renewable energy projects to offer power to western Navajo communities and, ultimately, distant markets was also discussed. The Shonto Chapter has now authorized Citizens Wind Energy to begin assessing the viability of a utility-scale wind energy development.
Current status: The Shonto Rural Renewable Energy Company
The Trust is now assisting with the final stages of the startup of the Shonto Renewable Energy Company. The Chapter has formed a community development corporation that will serve as a holding company for its renewable energy venture. We are helping finalize a comprehensive energy plan that will be key to securing grants and federal stimulus money. We are also providing advice on startup investment, joint ventures, manufacturer agreements for system components, management training, developing a model showcase building for the region, and other efforts to give this vital venture the best chance for success.
Your donations and membership dues make our work with the Navajo and Hopi Tribes possible.
