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House urges renewed federal support for Navajo electrification demonstration
Summary
The House passed HCR6 urging continued funding for a Navajo electrification demonstration project and referenced a prior federal commitment of $15 million annually for five years; sponsor emphasized health consequences of lack of electricity. The resolution passed 69–0.
The Utah House unanimously passed a concurrent resolution urging continued funding for a Navajo electrification demonstration project.
Representative Watkins, who introduced HCR6, described how a congressional commitment once existed to provide $15 million a year for five years to help bring electricity to parts of the Navajo Nation but said only one year of that funding was completed. He argued that investment should be fulfilled and described public-health impacts: “Many of these families, their health is jeopardized because they don't have refrigeration,” Watkins said, urging federal and state support for solar and other remote electrification approaches.
The resolution asks federal partners to reengage and funds demonstration projects that could bring electricity to remote households without relying solely on extensive telephone poles or wiring. House members briefly debated and then voted 69–0 to approve HCR6 and transmit it to the Senate.
Supporters framed the resolution as a practical, humanitarian step to address infrastructure deficiency on the Navajo Nation and to reduce health risks tied to lack of refrigeration and electrical power.
HCR6 will be transmitted to the Utah Senate for consideration.
