WASHINGTON – Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren told federal Energy Department officials that the Navajo Nation welcomes collaboration as it transitions from a fossil fuel economy to clean energy.
On Tuesday, the President met David Turk, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, and Brian Ó Donnchadha, USDOE tribal liaison, to discuss how two Navajo energy enterprises can ease complex requirements and speed access to funding for critical clean energy projects.
“The Navajo Nation is at the forefront of transitioning to clean energy,” the President told Deputy Secretary Turk. “To do this, we want to ensure the preservation of our land and the prosperity of our people.”
Joining the President was Kim Flower, vice president of Navajo Transitional Energy Co., Peter Scanlon, counsel for Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and Justin Ahasteen, executive director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office.
Ms. Flower said NTEC is committed to advance carbon capture technologies despite challenges faced in carbon capture front-end engineering design and study grant limitations. She said NTEC will pursue innovative approaches that line up with the Navajo Nation’s energy goals.
Mr. Scanlon described NTUA’s plan for a transformative, 250 megawatt photovoltaic solar generation project with a 125 MW 4-hour battery storage system. The project will be developed on former mine lands and aligns with the Navajo Nation’s strategic interests and the federal government’s clean energy objectives.
President Nygren reiterated the importance of President Biden’s Executive Order 14112, titled “Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination.”
The order states the need to streamline the federal assistance process for tribes. President Nygren told Deputy Secretary Turk that he appreciates the creation of the Access to Capital Clearinghouse and hopes to see improvements in the grants application and selection process.
He said federal partnerships are pivotal to achieve the Navajo Nation’s energy and economic goals.
“It is vital that our collective efforts both respect and actively support the unique position and aspirations of tribes,” President Nygren said.
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