PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR LIGHT UP NAVAJO VI AS 2024 INITIATIVE CONCLUDES

The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) is looking forward to another successful Light Up Navajo initiative in the Spring of 2025. Over 44 outside utility companies traveled to the Navajo Nation in the Spring of 2024 with the goal of connecting the homes of families living without electricity. They joined NTUA electric crews to extend power to at least 150 homes. When the 13-week program concluded, 170 homes were connected.

Light Up Navajo is a mutual aid training project that was launched in 2019 to connect homes under an expedited time frame. Each year, outside utilities send their electric crews to the Navajo Nation to help connect homes and extend powerlines.

This year, NTUA welcomed visiting utility teams from 16 different states from coast to coast. On average, 13 homes were connected each week with 4.2 miles of new powerline built.

“The visiting volunteer line workers signed up to travel here to help make a life changing difference for families,” said NTUA General Manager Walter W. Haase. “They left with an immense pride of accomplishment, especially when families thanked them for leaving their families and communities to help bring positive change to their lives.”

LUN V had representation from a cross section of the utility industry. Public Power utilities, Rural Co-operatives, and Investor-Owned Utilities signed up their teams to participate. Traveling teams represented the states of Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin

“The utilities worked together for a common cause,” Haase said. “They saw the need and worked hard to build powerlines and connect homes in remote and isolated homesteads. Without these partnerships, it’s very likely that the families would have remained waiting.”

Currently there are approximately 10,407 families living on the Navajo Nation that do not have electricity.

The Light Up Navajo mutual aid initiative embodies the true American spirit of people helping people. It’s a collaborative effort like no other – connecting homes of families that have been waiting years, even decades, for electric power.