NAABIK’IYATI COMMITTEE IS BACK TO DEBATE ON MAIN LEGISLATION 0006-17, WHICH IS TO SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS WITH UNIONS TO KEEP NGS AND PEABODY KAYENTA MINE OPERATING PAST 2019.

DELEGATE LEONARD PETE says he asked NAVAJO TRANSITIONAL ENERGY what is the future of coal and he didn’t a concrete answer. If we support this are we giving false hope, are we putting our heads in the sand? when are we having serious discussion on preparing for closure of NGS and Peabody Kayenta Coal mine and the future of coal. And President Begaye needs to address these questions during his state of the nation address.

DELEGATE SETH DAMON, WHO IS SERVING AS INTERIM NAABIK’IYATI COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON, CALLS ON SPONSOR OF 0006-17 TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS AND COMMETNS OF NAABIK’IYATI.

DELEGATE NATE BROWN says unions and workers are fighting for their jobs and 0006-17 is asking Navajo nation to help them save their jobs. and there are signs all over Navajo reservations that says Save Navajo Jobs. Unions are doing their job and listening to workers who spoke from their hearts. They are just asking to the Navajo nation to stand with the workers.

DELEGATE DWIGHT WITHERSPOON says that Delegate Brown seems to think that nation not helping to keep NGS operating until 2019 and during decommissioning to work with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority which has formed coalition with groups, including Interior, Coconino County, individuals impacted closure such as Page, Arizona Corporation Commimssion and others, office of president and vice president and even white house, working on keep NGS operating. Arizona Corporation Commission looking at mandating coal as source of power. Companies proposing purchase of NGS facility. but without resolution of coal issues there is a standstill. i was in meeting last week with speaker Bates and Interior. it’s not that we are not doing anything. we want to let you kow tht there are some huge hurdles to get over.

NAABIK’IYATI COMMITTEE VOTES ON 0006-17, 2:23 pm, 8-4.