Navajo Nation Council weighs controversial lease for coal plant

Thursday, April 18, 2013  

The Navajo Nation Council began debate a controversial lease extension for a coal-fired power plant on the Arizona portion of the reservation.

The lease for the Navajo Generating Station is due to expire on December 22, 2019. The council is considering a 25-year extension that would boost payments to the tribe from $3 million to $43 million a year, the Associated Press reported.

Navajo President Ben Shelly and Council Speaker Johnny Naize support the extension. But after hours of debate, the council put off a vote until April 29.

Get the Story:
Navajo lawmakers put off vote on coal plant lease (AP 4/18)
Council debates NGS extension (The Navajo Times 4/18)

Navajo Nation attorney general challenges bill to remove him (4/17)
Navajo president delivers annual State of the Nation address (4/16)