Light Up Navajo
Lineworkers from a New Mexico co-op joined others from utilities around
the country to help bring electric infrastructure to the Navajo Nation.
By Lonnie Tucker
Light Up Navajo is a project that increases electricity access for the Navajo Nation. This ambitious initiative, driven by collaboration between public, private, and nonprofit sectors, aims to provide sustainable solutions to the lack of electricity faced by many Navajo families. The Navajo Nation spans Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, encompassing vast landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. More than 13,000 homes—roughly one-third of the 56,000 Navajo Nation households—are not connected to the electric grid.
Light Up Navajo was launched in 2019 in response to the urgent need for electricity access in the Navajo Nation. Initiated by the American Public Power Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, the collaborative effort aims to electrify homes that have long been without power.
This year, the project’s goal was to connect at least 200 homes. Charise Swanson, CEO of New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperatives, expressed her excitement about the incredible opportunity to give back to communities and ensure everyone has access to electricity.
Recently, Columbus Electric Cooperative, based in Deming, sent four lineworkers to assist Light Up Navajo. NMREC is immensely proud of their dedication to mutual aid efforts that aim to make a positive impact in the world. Chris Martinez, executive vice president and general manager of Columbus Electric Cooperative, emphasized that bringing electricity to families in need has been integral to the cooperative’s mission since the 1950s.
Columbus Electric was one of four electric cooperatives assigned to work the final week of Light Up Navajo, July 14-20. They were joined by lineworkers from fellow New Mexico utilities Farmington Electric Utility System and PNM Public Service Co., as well as utilities from Alabama and Wisconsin. Working together under the supervision of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, they installed utility poles, electric distribution lines, electric transformers, and equipment needed to connect homes to the electric grid. In total, 42 electric utility companies from 16 states participated in Light Up Navajo, which started in April.
Several Columbus Electric Cooperative lineworkers eagerly volunteered for the project. Frankie Gonzales, Porter Howard, Daniel Lopez, and Colton Villegas were chosen to join Light Up Navajo. Chris Martinez noted that volunteering aligns with the crew’s character, and he felt fortunate to witness their dedication.
Bringing electricity to remote and rural areas is difficult. The terrain of the Navajo Nation is rugged and expansive, making infrastructure development challenging and costly. Because homes on the Navajo Nation are often spread out, several miles of poles and electrical lines are often needed to provide electricity to a single house. After navigating through rugged terrain for long days, CEC lineworkers installed 24 poles, three transformers, and 6,512 feet of electrical line to bring electricity to three homes in the Shiprock area.
The impact of Light Up Navajo extends far beyond electricity. Access to electricity enhances educational opportunities, improves health care, and promotes economic development within Navajo communities. Students can study after sunset, health care facilities can operate critical equipment, and small businesses can thrive with reliable power supplied by the tribal utility authority.
“The Light Up Navajo mutual aid initiative continues to make positive, life-changing impacts for Navajo families,” said Walter W. Haase, general manager of Navajo Tribal Utility Authority. “We are deeply grateful that sister utility companies, such as Columbus Electric Cooperative, sent their lineworkers to help. This unique partnership was built on the foundation of the American spirit of people helping people.”