Letter to the editor: Future of coal industry bright, NGS has a future

The Navajo Generating Station uses coal to produce electricity. Because of recently declining prices of natural gas, the station is facing an uncertain future. Adobe stock

The Navajo Generating Station uses coal to produce electricity. Because of recently declining prices of natural gas, the station is facing an uncertain future. Adobe stock

To the editor:

I enjoy reading stories about the Navajo Generating Station (NGS) and the coal industry because coal provides a good paycheck for thousands of rural Americans. Coal is also the United States’ most abundant and affordable form of energy.

So, when I read the letter by Percy Deal and Nicole Horseherder (“Navajo Nation grassroots groups urge Nation’s leaders to look toward a more sustainable future than coal,” May 23), I was dismayed by their inaccurate assertions.

Their statements like: “coal has a zero future” and that it is extremely unlikely the “sector will ever recover” fly in the face of both statistics and recent developments.

First, statistics from the Department of Labor released this month recorded an increase in mining jobs by a whopping 44,000 since last October.

Second, coal fired generation provides over 30 percent of Arizona’s electricity requirements.

Third, and most importantly, Vice President Pence drew attention to the importance of the coal industry to Native Americans by meeting Crow tribal leaders at the Absaloka Mine in Montana earlier this month. This trip also reinforced President Trump’s commitment to coal miners and power plant employees nationwide.

The Trump administration’s reduction of excessive regulations on the coal industry will hopefully provide a brighter, more secure future for many more energy workers, including the dedicated employees of the NGS.

Tom Harris, B. Eng., M. Eng. (Mech.), Executive Director, International Climate Science Coalition

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read