‘We have to keep progressing with this unity’: Leaders look to the future and celebrate Westwater electrification

BLANDING (Sept. 16, 2022) – One after another, as leaders spoke on Friday night at Utah State University Blanding, they acknowledged a transformation in the community. Westwater and Blanding City, they said, were relishing a newfound feeling of unity.

“Community is everything in Utah, and this is a monumental moment for two communities that acted together to achieve something that always felt out of reach,” Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson said. “If we can do this, together we can do anything.”

Stakeholders gathered at the edge of the campus, which overlooks Westwater, to celebrate the electrification of the Diné community just outside of Blanding. On Sept. 1, the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) flipped a switch, and affordable, reliable electricity zipped into residents’ homes for the first time. 

The electrification effort received funding from the Navajo Nation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Utah Legislature. 

“We are all on the same team and wear the same jersey as part of the brotherhood of man,” said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “The Westwater project is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when we work together to equally bless the lives of our fellowman. Our goal should always be to build, uplift, treat fairly, and encourage everyone around us.”

Westwater community president Thomas Chee welcomed the change.

“The old way of life wasn’t easy, especially in wintertime,” Chee said. “We’ve been waiting a long while for utilities, but now we’re making good use of our time. We’re more efficient. I’m grateful for all of the people who came together and stood with Westwater, especially the leaders who acknowledged us. We have to keep progressing with this unity to help other communities in need.”

Residents report having more free time since electricity came to Westwater. No more buying gas for generators and no more spoiled food. Night lights, refrigerators, and stoves finally come to life with the push of a button. As winter looms, many residents plan to turn to electric heaters instead of wood stoves to heat their homes.

“The completion of the Westwater power project is just one step in re-establishing trust, building better relationships, and ensuring basic needs are available,” said Logan Monson, the Blanding City mayor. “This is a valuable example of what the work of many hands and minds can accomplish when we share and work towards common goals.”

Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems and NTUA agreed to pass electricity through Blanding’s grid to Westwater. The solution took the cooperation of city, county, state, and tribal governments.

“The Westwater community electrification project is a great example of a successful partnership,” said Walter Haase, the general manager of NTUA. “We are grateful that our multiple partners understood the dire need and worked together to help improve the standard of life for Westwater families. This partnership made a dramatic difference for families that lived for many years without electricity.”

Up next: culinary water infrastructure. In July, the Navajo Nation, the state of Utah, NTUA, Blanding City, and San Juan County signed an MOU to bring culinary water to Westwater. Under the agreement, Blanding City received funding for a deep-water well with arsenic treatment. After engineers complete the infrastructure design, construction will begin. This month, Blanding City requested the transfer of 50 acre-feet of water rights from the San Juan Water Conservancy District to the city as part of the Westwater project.