Firm power contract a stepping stone in Hopi development plan

The ink was still damp on the firm power contract when Western officials accepted an invitation to see how new customer, the Hopi Tribe, was using its allocation, and to learn about the tribe’s vision for energy and economic development.

“Meeting with Western was a great opportunity to learn about technologies that can help the tribe reach its goals,” said Hopi Tribal Chairman Wayne Taylor, Jr. “The Hopi tribe is at a critical juncture, trying to build a sustainable economy, and having our own energy source is part of that.”

Western Administrator Michael Hacskaylo and representatives from the CRSP Management Center and Desert Southwest regional office met with tribal officials on the reservation Nov. 17. Chairman Taylor briefed the Western team on Hopi history, current issues and the tribe’s future goals.

Tribe works to improve electrical service
Hopi tribal lands are completely surrounded by the Navajo Nation, so the tribe’s 2-MW allocation will be delivered through an agreement with the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority. Western changed its policy in 1995 to allow Native American tribes without utilities to receive allocations.

Developing its own tribal utility is a top priority for the Hopi, however. Taking control of its power delivery is one way the tribe is seeking to improve the poor electrical service and frequent, weather-related power interruptions that plague the reservation.

The hydropower allocation may also help to increase reliability. Infrastructure improvements and tying the current radial system to neighboring parts of the grid are other solutions the tribe is pursuing.
Western’s relationship with the Hopi could help to move such projects forward. “We are in the business of getting power to consumers at a limited cost,” said Hacskaylo at the meeting. “There is no reason why we shouldn’t work together to make this possible.”

Old villages, new development pose different challenges
Taylor took the Western team on a tour of the First Mesa Villages and the proposed site of the Tawaovi planned community as part of the meeting.
The First Mesa villages include the Polacca, Sichomovi, Tewa and Walpi communities. “The villages show the varying strata of Hopi life,” Taylor noted.

Walpi, the oldest of the First Mesa villages, underwent recent restoration to preserve its beauty and make it safer for residents to live and perform religious ceremonies. In keeping with the traditional lifestyle practiced in Walpi, the village is not electrified.

“Some people don’t want power because of cultural reasons,” said Public Relations Officer Vanessa Charles. “Others do, but can’t be connected because of their location. How do you lay underground wire to a village sitting on solid rock? The tour helped to illustrate the kind of infrastructure challenges the Hopi face.”

Currently in the planning stage, the Tawaovi development will be the tribal government center, and include an industrial park and homes. Because it is encased by privately owned land, the reservation has a housing shortage, explained Charles. “Tawaovi has no specific ownership so we can build new homes for Hopi and non-tribal members working on the reservation.”

Partnership may increase reservation job opportunities
The tribal economic development council is evaluating different renewable resources for Tawaovi, both as a power source and as an industry. “Getting into energy is a big opportunity for the tribe,” Taylor said. “But instead of leasing the land, we want to get into the business.”

With an unemployment rate of 49 percent, the Hopi see job creation as critical to self-sustainability. The Hopi-Western partnership could bring public utility and engineering jobs to the area. During the meeting, the group discussed setting up internship and training programs for interested individuals with local colleges.

“Right now, young people have to leave the reservation to find work,” Taylor said. “A tribal utility and renewable energy development will create jobs right here, and assistance programs will create skilled employees to fill them.”

Tribe members and especially students will have the chance to learn more about energy options at the Hopi Energy Fair planned for early this year. Local energy companies, including Hopi-owned alternative energy vendors, will be there to answer questions about products and opportunities.

Western plans to be among the exhibitors at the energy fair, and looks forward to working with the Hopi in the years ahead. It is always exciting to watch our customers put plans into action, and it is even better to be included in the excitement.