1. Navajo Nation: Sustainable Development Tom Yersak Summer 2008

2. Window Rock, AZ

3. Navajo Hopi Land Commission Office -Executive Director: Roman Bitsuie ’78 -Established by the Navajo Government in 1980’s to address development issues of the Bennett Freeze Area -Bennett Freeze: A mandated freeze of all construction on disputed land between the Hopi and Navajo. 30+ years -NHLCO charged with acquiring 30,000 acres of new tribal land for the benefit of relocates. -Mr. Bitsuie has interpreted the NHLCO’s authority to include the development these lands for the benefit of those affected by the Bennett Freeze.

4. Bitsi-Paragon Ranch - Located South of Chaco Canyon, NM - I attempted to conduct preliminary research on water rights, ROW’s, archeological impacts etc. using an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for a formerly proposed coal plant on this site. - Several companies have submitted preliminary proposals

5. Other Activities - Prof. Soboyejo’s solar lantern Real use or educational tool? - Conducted research for NHLC lawyer regarding broken solar cistern-septic systems - Reader for Rehabilitation Trust Fund proposals - Gave educational renewable energy talks at a NHLC meeting and a summer youth group meeting - Explored issues regarding siting 4 donated solar dishes at Diné College

6. Bureaucratic Dysfunction What entity should oversee sustainable energy development projects on the Reservation? - Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA)? - Diné Power Authority (DPA)? - Navajo-Hopi Land Commission Office (NHLCO)? - Local Communities? No established framework for energy development. The economic development system is also very complex and difficult to navigate. McCain: “The system is broken”... even he can understand that this is an economic disaster...

7. Examples Desert Rock and Sithe Global DPA (a tribal company) bypassed the tribal government and leased land to a coal plant developer for only $100,000 a year, giving up millions in royalties. NHLCO - Preoccupied with a 2 year long audit - Already attempted energy development before and failed. How much is talk? Does this office really have the authority? NTUA and Arizona Power (APS): - Battle of jurisdiction. Boundaries are vague and can vary street to street. - NTUA has not attempted to implement net-metering on the reservation’s grid.

8. My Reflection