Large solar projects on Navajo Nation leave skepticism
As one of the largest solar installations rolled out with big promises, Diné residents saw limitations: ‘We were being sold down the river. Or being taken advantage of’
Shaun Griswold
A significant renewable energy project on the Navajo Nation has exposed gaps in lease and tax policies and the reason a lack of community input can force these developments to stumble.
According to High Country News, the Painted Desert Power project brought immediate skepticism that it could actually scale and complete its plan to cover 1,000 acres of rangeland with solar panels.
What was supposed to be one of the largest solar project installations in the United States turned into another example of tribal government priorities disregarding concerns from tribal citizens.
“That made this whole project, as it kept progressing, more and more like we were being sold down the river. Or being taken advantage of, and not given any real voice,” Tyrel Jones, a local Navajo land use planning committee member for the project told High Country News.
- 1.Christopher Lomahquahu. Large solar project on Navajo Nation leaves residents skeptical. High Country News, .
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