Dwight Witherspoon: Coal lease must benefit Navajo people

Although the Navajo Generating Station carries the name of the Navajo people, the “Navajo” Generating Station previously negotiated in 1968 and 1969 had significant flaws for the Navajo Nation. First, five power companies along with the United States Bureau of Reclamation planned a way to generate cheap electricity and deliver water throughout the State of Arizona by using the Navajo Nation’s resources. Second, the Navajo Nation was exploited for use of their land, water and coal with little benefit. Therefore, it is critical for the Navajo Nation to re-negotiate Navajo Generating Station’s (NGS) use of Navajo land, water, and coal; including, taxes and ownership so the Navajo Nation experiences maximum benefits.

Credit goes to the grassroots people and organizations for educating me on issues regarding the “Arizona” Generating Station and for suggesting that the Navajo Nation should push for ownership in NGS. When meeting with NGS representatives, the small benefits to the Navajo Nation was clearly drawn out and it was also clearly pointed out that there needs to be an ownership provision or the Nation will be advocating to charge the highest possible for the lease, taxes, and water waiver for a poor 1969 agreement. Only through a Navajo Nation ownership provision will the re-negotiation be a win-win for all; otherwise, the re-negotiation will be a win-lose for one and a loss for the other (meaning the cheap electricity and cheap water rates will dramatically increase throughout Arizona). Only through increases in land lease, taxes, ownership, and ability to make claim to the water in 2019 can the Generating Station be called the “Navajo” Generating Station.