It’s hard to believe that just a few hundred miles from our service territory, over 10,000 families still live without access to safe food storage and running water at home. The Navajo Nation spans more than 27,000 square miles — larger than the state of West Virginia — yet many homes do not have electricity. That’s why Mountain View Electric Association was honored to once again participate in Light Up Navajo, an initiative focused on bringing electricity — and hope — to families who’ve lived without it for generations.
This year marked our second time joining the effort. We sent two dedicated linecrews who, over two weeks, helped bring electricity to 11 families’ homes in remote and rugged desert terrain. From a mother whose children can now complete online homework, to a man finally able to build his home before winter — each connection tells a powerful story.
MVEA linemen brought more than light to the Navajo Nation — they brought heart. Through rugged desert terrain in scorching heat, they set poles, strung wire, and energized homes that had waited years for service. One homeowner, near Navajo Mountain, had waited 15 years for electricity on her ancestral land. With power finally connected, she now has electricity and running water.
We also donated energy-efficient appliances to the families we served. MVEA Board Directors Jim Riggins and Kevin Paddock joined crews in the field to witness the impact firsthand and share in a few unforgettable moments.
Jim shared, “Multiple elderly members told me that with electricity, their children are able to return to their ancestral homeland with meaningful remote employment. This contributes greatly to the preservation of the Navajo culture.”
Light Up Navajo is more than an electrification initiative — it’s a promise. A promise that electric co-ops will continue to serve the underserved. In the words of Board President Kevin Paddock, “Bringing power to Navajo families reflects the heart of the cooperative spirit — concern for community and the strength we find in unity.”
To learn more about the Light Up Navajo initiative, visit:
👉 www.publicpower.org/LightUpNavajo
Ruth Marks is the General Manager of Mountain View Electric Association. MVEA’s mission is to provide our members safe, reliable, affordable, and responsible electric service and access to broadband services.
