Navajo Nation connects more homes to electric grids with CARES Act funds
Sep 8, 2020, 4:25 AM
(Navajo Nation photo)
(Navajo Nation photo)
PHOENIX — A portion of the CARES Act money that the Navajo Nation received is going toward homes that need to be connected to the electric grid.
On Sunday, the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President announced that more than 100 homes had been extended to the power source.
The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority plans to connect 510 families to the grid.
The NTUA was provided with $110.8 million for power line projects, cisterns systems, wastewater systems, wireless and broadband expansion and to increase the overall electric grid capacity.
Additionally, the utility enterprise was given $35.1 million for its residential solar program, for which it is accepting applications.
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NTUA has completed the construction of the tower in Pinedale, New Mexico, which is connected to an electric grid.
The enterprise continues to install Wi-Fi hotspots that are scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
“COVID-19 has devastated many communities and families and with the work being completed by NTUA, we are hopeful that our people will have access to electricity and water to help minimize the impacts of this pandemic,” Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez said in a statement.
“We are optimistic that NTUA will be able to connect electricity for well over 500 families by the end of the year.”
In total, Navajo Nation received more than $714 million from the CARES Act. There is still about $176 million that has yet to be approved for use.
