Making the Navajo Nation a bit brighter
Ten employees representing the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC) traveled to the Navajo Nation in July, joining in a national effort to extend electric service to those without power.
Participation in the “Light Up Navajo” program, now in its sixth year, began July 5 and involved a convoy trip of five vehicles and two trailers to the Native American reservation — the largest in the United States.
Each team spent a full week installing utility poles and extending wires to homes that were without electric service. Currently there are approximately 10,407 families living on the Navajo Nation that do not have electricity.
This year “Light Up Navajo” included linemen representing 16 different states from coast to coast. On average, 13 homes were connected each week with 4.2 miles of new powerline built.
“We are incredibly proud of our crew and the work they did,” said Jason Bowling, Chief Executive Officer at SSVEC. “Participating in this program and providing electricity to homes and businesses that have been without this vital service says a lot about the character and quality of our people.”
SSVEC employees who participated in the Light Up Navajo project from July 5 to July 12 included Eric Hessert, Chris Stephens, Frankie Bracamonte, Tyler Rios and Dylan Layton. From July 12 to July 19, the SSVEC crew included John Vandermuelen, Efren Gallego, Gabriel Ornelas, Brandon Torres, and CJ Putnam.
“I’m proud of our employees for stepping up and representing SSVEC with integrity and heart. Their work on the Navajo Nation is a powerful example of what service looks like in action,” said Nathan Hodges, Senior Vice President of Operations at SSVEC.
The crews set out early each Saturday from Benson and Willcox, respectively, for a more than eight-hour drive to the reservation. Each day consisted of 12 to 14 hours of work.
On the Thursday evening before returning to the SSVEC service territory, each team member was honored at a celebration hosted by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA).
The program was created through a partnership between NTUA and the American Public Power Association (APPA). APPA has a mutual aid program that sends electric crews to areas hit by natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes.
“The visiting volunteer line workers signed up to travel here to help make a life changing difference for families,” said NTUA General Manager Walter W. Haase. “They left with an immense pride of accomplishment, especially when families thanked them for leaving their families and communities to help bring positive change to their lives.”
CAPTIONS
LUN1: One of the two SSVEC crews working on providing service to homes and businesses without electricity on the Navajo Nation.
LUN2: More than 10,000 residents on the Navajo Nation are without electricity. Two SSVEC crews participated in the Light Up Navajo program to extend service to residents and businesses from July 5 through July 19.
LUN3: Members of the first team to travel to the Navajo Nation left on July 5 and included (from the left) Chris Stevens, Tyler Rios, Dylan Layton, Frankie Bracamonte and Eric Hessert.
LUN4: Well-wishers joined members of the second team that traveled to the Navajo Nation on July 12. Those pictured include (from the left) Willcox Area Operations Manager Jorge Garcia, team member Gabriel Ornelas, SSVEC Maintenance Manager Buster Foster, and team members Brandon Torres, Efren Gallego, John Vandermuelen, and CJ Putnam.
