Resources & Development Committee takes up proposed legislation for Energy Policy:
NAVAJO DIVISION OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIRECTOR FRED WHITE
Energy hub, energy distribution system to benefit families and neighbors cuz energy primary component of Divisoin of Natrual Resources. Project started spriog 2010. Took over June 2010 and wanted grass root attempt so more community baed and community friendly and with NTUA and Sandia Laboratories we hired individuals to help us. Many discussions.
Draft taken to public. Numerous meetings and returned to RDC for many work session. Realized challenge, where do u draw line between policies, regulations and develpment plans cuz chapters wanted to know how develop energy and others wanted “cook book”.
We address energy component parts and policies. for example – how do we handle renewables, coal fired plants, uraniunium and market across regions.
Policies: clean coal technology. we felt clean coal tech important cuz coal plants under attack by environmentalists and US EPA. Targeted to keep as pristine as possible even haze. Looking at what out there, not only coal fire plants but lok at renewables, geothermal, hydro, carbon capture, liquidification and example of making policy statements in those directions.
Also how engage communities?
lot of energy policy statements being made so we need engage communities and help them develop strategies in accordance with Navajo Nation Energy Policy and knowing that each community different.
So know that policy, regulations would come from different divisions such as economic development.
Important to say that setting pace for ourselves and across America. Impt RDC supports this policy and provides leadership to move forward. could go into one by one but had extension discussions during work sessions.
DELEGATE ROSCOE SMITH
on July 2 when crossed the T’s and dotted the i’s and brot to RDC. we saw proposed draft and once RDC accepted, proceeded put in legislative process which was Aug. 10.
RDC CHAIRPERSON KATHERINE BENALLY
let me go on record, RDC played major role in making right words. How much of Prez Shelly in here. Did he put pen to paper? No. Yet he is insisting that this is his Energy Policy.
this is RDC cuz a lot of it was our words.
Q&A:
Dealt with all questions.
RDC CHAIRPERSON KATHERINE BENALLY
I have to say that it was Mr. Tsosie’s work.
VOTE AT 4:50 PM
4 IN FAVOR, 0 OPPOSED
RDC MEMBERS PRESENT AND VOTING WERE SPONSOR ROSCOE SMITH, LEONARD PETE, DAVID TOM, AND GEORGE APACHITO.
RDC THEN DISCUSSED POSSIBLE MEETING AT ANTELOPE POINT MARIANA NEAR PAGE, ARIZ., which will be Oct. 28 and 29.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FIVE YEAR PLAN WORK SESSION: Oct. 17, WINDOW ROCK
SPECIAL WATER RIGHTS SESSION, KARIGAN BUILDING, ST. MICHAELS, OCT. 9-RESCHEDULED CUZ NO QUORUM
RDC ADJOURNED
