Navajo Nation looking to continue its partnership with the City of Los Angeles to move forward on a new path that prioritizes renewable energy development

News Release

Navajo Nation - Office of the President and Vice President

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez joined City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday, as they requested the Los Angeles City Council to adopt a motion to support a feasibility study for a partnership between the Navajo Nation and the city to pursue renewable energy projects on the Navajo Nation to allow the city of Los Angeles to obtain cost-effective clean energy.

President Nez told the City Council members that the Navajo Nation is moving forward with renewable energy development, as mandated by the Navajo people and the citizens of California, as he asked for their support to approve a motion made by City Councilman O’Farrell last December, which instructs the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to report in 30 days on the feasibility study.

“This is a win-win for everyone. The demand for clean energy throughout the country is there and mandated by our people, our citizens, and it’s no different on the Navajo Nation. We have a young population on our Nation and they are demanding us to be better stewards of our land, and renewable energy is the way forward,” said President Nez.

In April 2019, President Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer issued the Navajo Háyoołkááł Proclamation to prioritize renewable energy development for the Navajo Nation. The proclamation also created the Háyoołkááł Work Group to serve as the clearinghouse for energy development initiatives.

Several of the work group members accompanied President Nez including Division of Natural Resources Executive Director Dr. Rudy Shebala, Navajo Nation Washington Office Executive Director Santee Lewis, and Michelle Henry with the Division of Natural Resources. Nicole Horseherder with the grassroots non-profit organization known as Tó Nizhóní Ání (Sacred Water Speaks), based out of Black Mesa, Arizona, also joined the group in presenting to the city officials.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was one of several owners of the Navajo Generating Station, which closed in December along with Kayenta Mine, and led to a $30 to $50 million decline in annual revenue for the Navajo Nation. President Nez said the Navajo Nation is looking to continue its partnership with the City of Los Angeles to move forward on a new path that prioritizes renewable energy development.

“We are resilient people since time immemorial. We could’ve easily said poor us on the Navajo Nation, but do you know what we said? We said we are overcomers. We want to be the leaders of renewable energy in Indian Country. We are moving forward on that path,” added President Nez.

Pictured: Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell presenting to the Los Angeles City Council in Los Angeles, California on February 19, 2020. (Photo: Navajo Nation - Office of the President and Vice President)

In 2018, state legislators approved a measure that requires 100-percent of California’s electricity to come from carbon-free sources and in April 2019, the City of Los Angeles adopted its own carbon-free energy plan that also calls for 100-percent renewables by 2045.

“As the City of Los Angeles takes a leadership role in renewable energy, we can lift other partners along with us across the state of California, across the entire United States as we power down coal and power up renewable sources of energy. This potential partnership with the Navajo Nation to encourage and pioneer renewable energy to replace coal is something the Los Angeles City Council can be proud of especially if there are mutual benefits for both parties,” said City Councilman O’Farrell.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council approved the motion to conduct the feasibility study. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is scheduled to provide a report in 30 days.

“The Navajo Nation appreciates the support of the Los Angeles City Council, Councilman O’Farrell, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power as we look to continue our partnership with the state of California,” stated President Nez.