WINDOW ROCK, AZ – Each year the IBEW sends electricians from across the United States to complete house wiring and energize homes across the Navajo Nation.
“We also feel we need to publicize the inadequate housing.” NTUA General Manager Walter Haase continued “the reality is we probably have another 9000 homes that are not sound on top of the 13,000 in need while there are under 9400 homes that I believe I NTUA can get to”
Navajo Nation tribal members live within three states New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah and tribal land covers a 27,000 square mile area estimated to cost over a billion dollars to connect all remaining homes.
In the desert landscape you can often see families who have continued to live in 1920 era single room homes with aging wooden plywood panels showing as the black weather resistive barrier has been torn away by long ago wind storms.
“I wouldn’t believe two years ago that there was somebody in this country, in this year that doesn’t have power” said Bob Dean an IBEW Electrician “we send our guys out here and they see people trying to survive using generators, kerosene lamps, and hauling water just to survive.”
IBEW leadership emphasized their commitment working with the Navajo Nation and NTUA on Light Up Navajo to leverage their nationwide network of 800,000 members across the United States and Canada. Through its Government Affairs program, the union is actively engaging federal lawmakers, industry leaders, and philanthropic partners to secure sustained funding for electrification projects beyond current timelines.
“We expanded access to electricity by reforming the homesite lease process for pre existing homes, on the Navajo Nation having a homesite lease is almost like a deed to the land, in order to get electricity to that home you must have a homesite lease” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.
As communities continue to grow on the Navajo Nation the need for electrification, waterlines, and waste facilities continue to grow under local utility companies.
The Navajo Nation and IBEW continue to work on public awareness through expanded media outreach, national advocacy campaigns, and exploration of large-scale fundraising initiatives to sustain progress on the Light Up Navajo Initiative.
Electrification is the difference between a child’s ability gain knowledge through internet research, an elder’s ability to refrigerate lifesaving insulin and fresh produce, and a business owners ability to accept credit card payments in rural locations. For many, Light Up Navajo can be the key to unlocking self sufficiency and economic development.
