Tribal Committee
Gallup Solar members formed a number of working committees in May 2008. The Tribal Committee was
one of those formed at this time. We first met on May 25, 2008.
The information here should provide you with an understanding of Gallup Solar's Tribal Committee, its goals,
plans, and ideals. If you desire more information, or wish to join this committee, please contact us: Info: <tribal@gallupsolar.org>
Our Goals
- To work with Tribal Policy Makers to include them in the solar plant development process, promote tribal solar initiatives, and explore mutually-beneficial opportunities.
- To educate and empower Tribal Members about the benefits of solar energy
- To sponsor cooperative sister Solar Groups for the establishment of small- and medium-sized power plants throughout the Navajo Nation, and the region.
Our Role
The Tribal Committee is hoping to become recognized as a group that can, and wants to be, an intermediary. In this role we hope to promote unity among the various agencies needed for the advancement of solar energy. This Committee, on behalf of Gallup Solar, wishes to be viewed as a necessary, trusted and non-partisan 'partner'; one in which the Navajo Nation and others can look upon to help build and strengthen relationships. We believe that Gallup Solar, and this Committee can fit this role perfectly, because we are simply a group of citizens, independent of industry and political pressures. We genuinely care about regional families that are without electricity, and recognize that everyone's partnership and input is valuable and necessary.
Our Plan
With the goal of developing a 'regional energy plan', we hope to expand upon the large-scale solar energy for this region of New Mexico. In addition to providing Gallup with all of its energy needs through 'clean, renewable' solar energy, this regional plan would involve trying to help alleviate problems associated with serving electricity to rural areas. We are certainly not looking to take over Navajo Tribal Utilities Authority's role as the service provider for rural areas outside of Gallup, but rather help facilitate providing electricity to those in need. A project of this nature will benefit the region with clean energy production, and increases in the economy and the number of available jobs.
Initial Meeting
The committee first met with Navajo Tribal Utilities Authority on June 13 in Window Rock, AZ. This meeting
was deemed a success, and hoped to be first of many regular meetings.
N.T.U.A. reported the difficulty of delivering electricity
to rural customers. They reported that 37% of Navajo Nation residents are without electricity. And 75% of the
people in the U.S. without electricity, live on the Navajo Nation. They did report some encouraging news in
that the Navajo Nation and N.T.U.A. are investigating solar energy for its residents. N.T.U.A. does offer 660W and 840W solar panels for
private rental, but maintenance monies are lacking to make them a perfect alternative.
Upcoming Forum
The Tribal Committee is hosting the Autumn Equinox-2008 Forum. This Forum will be held in Window Rock, Arizona on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008. The event is scheduled to last from 10am to 4pm. To view the latest information on this Forum, please visit our "Forum" page.
