Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. said he supports the Hopi Tribe for passing a resolution that condemned certain environmental groups.

Shirley is pushing to open a $2.5 billion coal-fired power plant on the New Mexico portion of the Navajo Nation. Some environmental groups are fighting the Desert Rock Energy Project and as a result, the tribe's air permit is being reconsidered by the Environmental Protection Agency.

"These are individuals and groups who claim to have put the welfare of fish and insects above the survival of the Navajo people when in fact their only goal is to stop the use of coal in the U.S. and the Navajo Nation," Shirley said in a statement, USA Today reported.

The Hopi tribal council criticized environmental groups for pushing for the closure of a Navajo Generating Station. The tribe depends on jobs and revenues from the power plant.

Get the Story:
Some tribes at odds over coal plants (USA Today 10/1)
Navajos assail environmentalists (The Arizona Republic 10/1)
Navajo Leader Seeks Grant for Power Plant (AP 10/1)
Hopi, Navajos say environmentalists not welcome (AP 9/30)

Related Stories:
Hopi Tribe unhappy with conservation groups (9/30)
EPA board issues ruling for Navajo power plant (9/28)