For the third consecutive year, Trico dispatched a team to the Navajo Nation for a two-week initiative aimed at providing electrical power to the community as part of the Light Up Navajo project. Over 10 days, lineworkers Bryan English, Joe Tsethlikai, Jon Barker, Tyler Russell, Dustin Boyce and Troy Mead set nearly 90 poles and strung in over 20,000 feet of overhead wire near Tuba City, AZ.
“It is an outstanding effort by the Trico linemen,” said Matt Fredericksen, Manager of Operations. “They had the opportunity to meet the Navajo Nation President, Buu Nygren. He personally thanked them for their efforts.”
Many residents in this region would have faced a wait of another decade for electricity to be established, but the Light Up Navajo project has successfully delivered power, significantly enhancing their quality of life.
“Every year at Light Up Navajo is rewarding and puts things into perspective for me,” Journeyman Lineworker Bryan English said. “It’s unquantifiable the positive effect this will have in the lives of the people who will get electricity. Long after we’re all gone, that line will still be standing. Not since the 1930s have people in my trade got to electrify people for the first time ever. I’m proud to work at a company that supports things in our community.”
Trico is among 16 electric cooperatives from Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Alabama, Florida and Wisconsin that volunteered for this year’s Light Up Navajo initiative. This project has successfully provided power to over 1,000 homes, and they continually aim to improve their efforts. The objective for this year was to deliver electricity to at least 175 homes in the more remote areas of the Navajo Nation.
“I love being able to help others in need,” Journeyman Lineworker Jon Barker said. “I enjoy working for a company that wants to help others in need. I hear a lot of people talk a big game, but Trico puts into action a plan to help others. I would go back every chance Trico would be willing to send me.”
Apprentice Lineworker Troy Mead said the experience was rewarding. “We weren’t just building power lines; we are delivering power to families who have never had electricity and bettering their lives in so many ways. The work was tough at times, long hours, remote locations, and rough terrain but it reminds me of why I got into this trade in the first place. It wasn’t just about the job; it was about making a real difference in people’s lives.”
According to the American Public Power Association, out of roughly 55,000 homes on the Navajo Nation, nearly 14,000 still lack access to electricity. This accounts for 75% of all households in the United States without power.
Learn more at https://www.electric.coop/record-number-of-electric-co-ops-volunteer-to-help-power-navajo-nation.
