Chapter Turnouts in Numbers at Solar Project Open House
The image shows Marty Ashley of NTUA discussing the details of the Red Antelope Solar project with a LeChee Chapter resident at the Red Antelope Solar Project Open House on July 19 at LeChee Chapter House.
LECHEE, Ariz. – On June 19 and 20, LeChee Chapter and surrounding community members stopped by an Open House to learn about the utility-scale Red Antelope Solar and energy storage plant, a proposed development by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and 8minute Solar Energy (8minute).
NTUA and 8minute were pleased with the number of local people interested in the Project. That the open house format allowed community members and the project developer representatives to discuss questions and concerns 1-on-1, including meeting with Navajo language translators to interpret technical details and come away with a better understanding of the proposed project.
The informal Open House format allowed interested individuals and their families to engage and offer input, including how they think a project like Red Antelope Solar might best serve the needs of the community. At the end of their visit, many visitors also completed an anonymous survey to share their feelings about building utility-scale solar projects in the Navajo Nation.
As of July 4, survey results show that over 2/3 of respondents would support NTUA building solar farms in their community. Other insight showed most respondents see Environmental Health, Jobs and Training, and Tax Revenues for the Local Community as the most important benefits the Project should provide. The survey is still open and will close on July 11.
Most attendees offered positive feedback, however, some visitors said they felt overwhelmed by the information and requested a simplified presentation in the Navajo language. NTUA and 8minute agreed and decided it would be beneficial to accommodate the request with another open house event.
The second open house, Red Antelope Solar Project Open House #2, is scheduled for Sunday, July 24, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the LeChee Chapter House.
At this event, the presentations will mostly be given in the Navajo language. The presenters will address concerns brought up at the first open house and allow for questions and answers. NTUA and 8minute welcome all LeChee community members to join and will provide food and refreshments.
Also, please take the NTUA - Red Antelope Solar survey by July 11 at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ntuasolarsurvey. Provide your input, and you can be entered into a drawing to win one of twenty $50 Walmart gift cards.
