NENAHNEZAD, N.M. – On Thurs., May 23, President Buu Nygren signed a partnership agreement with NTUA and Erthos, a leading company in the solar-powered energy field to begin building “NavajoPoly” a manufacturing project to create polysilicon in the Nenahnezad area.
Polysilicon is a high-purity polycrystalline silicon compound made from metal silicon and used for semiconductors and solar cells. Solar cells are then used for solar energy.
Moving away from fossil fuel resources, the manufactured polysilicon will be used for solar energy. This clean and sustainable energy source won’t harm our land or surrounding areas like previous decades of fossil fuel extraction.
When reviewing the agreement, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren ensured this venture would bring jobs to the community and revenue to the chapter house, to further opportunities they could provide for their youth, such as scholarships and other benefits for the chapter.
The project will create over 1,250 local construction jobs and secure 550 full-time positions after completion.
On top of jobs for the community, the Navajo Nation will receive tax revenue from the project.
“This project aids in different areas for our Navajo people,” said President Nygren. “We’re trying to move away from fossil fuels, figure out how we can get our Navajo people into good jobs, and continue to keep our children in mind, and that’s what this project does.”
President Nygren aims to put his people first so they can take care of their families but also to exercise the Nation’s sovereignty.
“This is what it means to be sovereign in the nation,” said President Nygren. “This is cutting-edge thinking, cutting-edge knowledge. We are grateful to use our sovereignty and be included in this project for not just the rest of the world but for us here on Díné Bikeyah.”
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