After a century of a fossil fuel-based economy, the Navajo Nation is shifting to a non-carbon energy economy. The capital from the extractive industry made multinational corporations enormously wealthy. Still, it resulted in egregious health and environmental consequences for Indigenous communities. This shift is challenging but gives a turning point to understanding clean energy.
In this energy transition comes the opportunity to empower and inform Indigenous communities of the decision-making processes for a regenerative, equitable energy economy. Indigenous communities should be in the driver’s seat, shaping an energy transition that benefits us most, and accounts for economic and cultural implications that center our traditional ways.
The clean energy term includes hydrogen production. This technology accounts for much water and energy use, creating one part of hydrogen to make seven parts of carbon dioxide. The bottom line for fossil hydrogen is that it will create more pollution without generating more power.
The Navajo Nation is at a crossroads. Projects can continue chasing shrinking dollars that harm Indigenous communities or learn from the mistakes made surviving in a fossil fuel economy. The tribe needs to implement a pathway of regenerative energy with solar, wind and battery storage with no carbon dioxide emissions to capture and bury, without methane leaks that add to the Four Corners methane hot spot. The Navajo Nation should generate truly affordable electricity that serves Indigenous communities.
Most importantly, energy transition must give hope for the economic development of a healthy future without fossil fuels.
Wendy Atcitty
Farmington
