Bipartisan infrastructure law led by Sinema and shaped by Kelly delivers up to $7.6 million to provide electricity to hundreds of off-grid homes on the Navajo Nation
WASHINGTON – Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly today announced up to $7.6 million to expand electricity and clean energy access to hundreds of off-grid homes on the Navajo Nation from the bipartisan infrastructure law led by Sinema and shaped by Kelly.
Combined, the funds – awarded through the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) Program – will provide electricity and clean energy access to more than 400 off-grid homes on the Navajo Nation. The investment will fuel strong economic opportunities, improve the health and safety of residents, and provide access to essential home resources.
“We’re investing in innovative clean energy resources that will fuel economic opportunities for the Navajo Nation,” said Sinema.
“Our infrastructure law continues to deliver for Arizona families and strengthen our state’s role as a leader in clean energy deployment,” said Kelly. “The announcement today will directly benefit Navajo Nation families by finally increasing access to affordable, clean, and reliable solar energy.”
Navajo Nation communities have ample solar resources, but still too many homes lack access to the electrical grid – depriving them of essential home resources like refrigeration, medical devices, and internet.
The announcement invests up to $2.6 million in Navajo Sun Power, a home solar project led by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, and up to $5 million in securing permanent, high-quality clean energy access led by Navajo Power Home.
Sinema led bipartisan Senate negotiations with Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that included Senator Kelly and senators from both parties.
The bipartisan infrastructure law was supported by groups including The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, The National Association of Manufacturers, The AFL-CIO, The National Retail Federation, The Bipartisan Policy Center, North America’s Building Trades Unions, the Outdoor Industry Association, The American Hotel and Lodging Association, The National Education Association, as well as hundreds of mayors across all 50 states.