Tucson Electric Power Transmission Line Right-of-Way Renewal
Did you know Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is requesting a transmission line right-of-way (ROW) renewal from the Navajo Nation?
Tucson Electric Power, established in 1892, is a utility company based in Tucson, Arizona. In the 1960s, in anticipation of shortages, TEP began to shift from using primarily natural gas and fuel oil to including coal in its energy mix. This led to the construction of the Four Corners power plant near Farmington, New Mexico, in 1965.
In 1969, TEP expanded its plans for additional coal-fired electricity by becoming co-owner of San Juan Generating Station, followed by Navajo Generating Station. To get electricity from northern New Mexico to southern Arizona (where TEP’s customer base is located), a 500-mile transmission line was constructed. 102 miles of this transmission line crosses 14 different Navajo Chapter boundaries between Farmington and Gallup, New Mexico.
In 1973, the Navajo Nation granted TEP right-of-way (ROW) easements for this 102-mile section of the transmission line. This original ROW agreement has now expired (after 50 years) and provided the Navajo Nation with a one-time payment of $34,948. This seems like a small payment, considering TEP made $1.875 billion in revenue last year alone.
For nearly half a century, TEP and other utilities have benefited from discounted rates and subsidized water and coal in their leases with the Navajo Nation. Taking advantage of tribal resources and denying the Navajo Nation the ability to transition their economy after coal plant closures.
To address the economic loss from recent coal plant closures, the Navajo Nation tried to secure direct transition support from TEP through a recent rate case in Arizona. However, that request was denied despite the company claiming to support transition funding for coal-impacted communities.
Now, Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is requesting a right-of-way (ROW) renewal from the Navajo Nation for its transmission line, which cuts across Navajo lands. Navajo, why do you continue to concede and support projects from disingenuous partners like TEP?
To be continued…
