Navajos Ask Trump to Keep Coal-Fired Power Plant in Arizona

navajocoal

A dilemma for residents of Northern Arizona. For years, they’ve complained about the pollution caused by the Navajo Generating Station, the largest coal-fired power plant in the western part of the U.S.  But now that it is targeted for closing in two years, it is also where many of those complaining residents hold jobs.

Hundreds of Navajo people rely on jobs at the plant and have done so for the last four decades. The shut down will devastate their economy. But the Salt River Project, operator of the plant contends natural gas is much cheaper than coal.

Tell that to the 800 Navajo people who work there. The Navajo Nation now hopes President Trump will intervene and help keep the plant open through 2044.

“This dilemma provides an opportunity for the Trump administration to live up to its promise to the American people that it will stand behind the coal industry,” said Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye in a statement. “Many people depend on this industry. It is a matter of national security.”