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FacebookEmailTwitterGoogle+LinkedInPinterestNavajo Generating Station — the largest coal plant in the West — has shut downSRP, APS, Tucson Electric Power and NV Energy voted to close the plant two years ago. The closure will affect Navajo and Hopi tribal budgets.
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Navajo Generating Station — the largest coal plant in the West — has shut downThe Navajo Generating Station on July 2, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure The Navajo Generating Station on July 2, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The Navajo Generating Station on Aug. 20, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure The Navajo Generating Station on Aug. 20, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic A water truck in the coal storage area, on Aug. 20, 2019, at Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure A water truck in the coal storage area, on Aug. 20, 2019, at Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The generators at Navajo Generating Station on Aug. 20, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure The generators at Navajo Generating Station on Aug. 20, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Dragline operator Chester Billy removes overburden in pit J19 on Feb. 2, 2017, at the Kayenta Mine. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Dragline operator Chester Billy removes overburden in pit J19 on Feb. 2, 2017, at the Kayenta Mine. Mark Henle/The Republic Coal pit J19 on Feb. 2, 2017, at the Kayenta Mine. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Coal pit J19 on Feb. 2, 2017, at the Kayenta Mine. Mark Henle/The Republic The Navajo Generating Station on Sept. 6, 2019 near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure The Navajo Generating Station on Sept. 6, 2019 near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Steven Yazzie, an SRP engineering manager, on Aug. 20, 2019, at Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Steven Yazzie, an SRP engineering manager, on Aug. 20, 2019, at Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The Colorado River winds through the Grand Canyon on Feb. 19, 2016, near the Desert View Watchtower, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure The Colorado River winds through the Grand Canyon on Feb. 19, 2016, near the Desert View Watchtower, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Mike Hull, an SRP mechanical engineer, talks about the decommissioning of the Navajo Generating Station on Aug/ 20, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Mike Hull, an SRP mechanical engineer, talks about the decommissioning of the Navajo Generating Station on Aug/ 20, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic A water truck (bottom center) drives toward the ash disposal site (top center, gray area), on Aug. 20, 2019, at the Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure A water truck (bottom center) drives toward the ash disposal site (top center, gray area), on Aug. 20, 2019, at the Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic A dragline removes overburden in pit J1 on Feb. 2, 2017, at the Kayenta Mine. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure A dragline removes overburden in pit J1 on Feb. 2, 2017, at the Kayenta Mine. Mark Henle/The Republic A dragline removes overburden in pit J1 on Feb. 2, 2017, at the Kayenta Mine. , Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure A dragline removes overburden in pit J1 on Feb. 2, 2017, at the Kayenta Mine. , Mark Henle/The Republic Coal pit J19 on Feb. 2, 2017, at the Kayenta Mine. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Coal pit J19 on Feb. 2, 2017, at the Kayenta Mine. Mark Henle/The Republic The coal conveyer belt on July 7, 2019, at Kayenta Mine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure The coal conveyer belt on July 7, 2019, at Kayenta Mine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Rose Toehe (left, Coconino County Workforce Development Specialist) talks with Troy Pahi at the PERA Club reemployment center in Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Rose Toehe (left, Coconino County Workforce Development Specialist) talks with Troy Pahi at the PERA Club reemployment center in Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Jerry Zilth, who is retiring after 43 years, looks at retirement plaques on July 9, 2019, before the start of UMWA Local 1924 monthly meeting in Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jerry Zilth, who is retiring after 43 years, looks at retirement plaques on July 9, 2019, before the start of UMWA Local 1924 monthly meeting in Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic UMWA Local 1924 retirement plaques as seen on July 9, 2019, in Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure UMWA Local 1924 retirement plaques as seen on July 9, 2019, in Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Tania Vasquez waits on customers, on Sept., 5, 2019, at Slackers Quality Grub in Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Tania Vasquez waits on customers, on Sept., 5, 2019, at Slackers Quality Grub in Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Marie Justice (left) talks with Jerry Zilth (retiring after 43 years) on July 9, 2019, before the start of the UMWA Local 1924 monthly meeting in Page, Arizona. Looking on and eating dinner is Gerald Clitso. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Marie Justice (left) talks with Jerry Zilth (retiring after 43 years) on July 9, 2019, before the start of the UMWA Local 1924 monthly meeting in Page, Arizona. Looking on and eating dinner is Gerald Clitso. Mark Henle/The Republic Michael Bigman works on Aug. 20, 2019, at the Navajo Generating Station, Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Michael Bigman works on Aug. 20, 2019, at the Navajo Generating Station, Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Michael Bigman signs in at the control room on Aug. 20, 2019, at the Navajo Generating Station in Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Michael Bigman signs in at the control room on Aug. 20, 2019, at the Navajo Generating Station in Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Michael Bigman drives back to his sheep corral on Sept. 6, 2019, in Coppermine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Michael Bigman drives back to his sheep corral on Sept. 6, 2019, in Coppermine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Michael Bigman gets hay to feed his lambs on Sept. 6, 2019, in Coppermine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Michael Bigman gets hay to feed his lambs on Sept. 6, 2019, in Coppermine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Michael Bigman and his wife, Margorie Bigman, feed the lambs on Sept. 6, 2019, in Coppermine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Michael Bigman and his wife, Margorie Bigman, feed the lambs on Sept. 6, 2019, in Coppermine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Michelle Bigman walks through Ligai’ Si’ Anii" slot canyon on July 3, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Michelle Bigman walks through Ligai’ Si’ Anii" slot canyon on July 3, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Michael Bigman and his wife, Margorie Bigman, in Coppermine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Michael Bigman and his wife, Margorie Bigman, in Coppermine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Michael Bigman scans the horizon for his sheep on Sept. 6, 2019, in Coppermine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Michael Bigman scans the horizon for his sheep on Sept. 6, 2019, in Coppermine, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Jerry Williams (president) talks with JoAnn Yazzie-Pioche (left, VP) during the LeChee Chapter Planning Meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, in LeChee, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jerry Williams (president) talks with JoAnn Yazzie-Pioche (left, VP) during the LeChee Chapter Planning Meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, in LeChee, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Jerry Williams (president) waits for the start of LeChee Chapter Planning Meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, in LeChee, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jerry Williams (president) waits for the start of LeChee Chapter Planning Meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, in LeChee, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Jerry Williams (sitting right, president) talks with Wilson Lister Sr. (standing) during the LeChee Chapter Planning Meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, in LeChee, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jerry Williams (sitting right, president) talks with Wilson Lister Sr. (standing) during the LeChee Chapter Planning Meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, in LeChee, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Wilson Lister Sr. (right) and his wife, Ada Lister, listen during the LeChee Chapter Planning Meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, in LeChee, Arizona. The chapter’s budget is on the white board on the wall. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Wilson Lister Sr. (right) and his wife, Ada Lister, listen during the LeChee Chapter Planning Meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, in LeChee, Arizona. The chapter’s budget is on the white board on the wall. Mark Henle/The Republic Wilson Lister Sr. (center) speaks during the LeChee Chapter Planning Meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, in LeChee, Arizona. The chapter’s budget is on the white board on the wall. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Wilson Lister Sr. (center) speaks during the LeChee Chapter Planning Meeting on Sept. 5, 2019, in LeChee, Arizona. The chapter’s budget is on the white board on the wall. Mark Henle/The Republic A portrait of Grace Antone taken July 7, 2019, in her home in Whitegrass, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure A portrait of Grace Antone taken July 7, 2019, in her home in Whitegrass, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic A portrait of Grace Antone (right), her husband, Jacob Antone (center) and her sister, Pauletta Russell (left), taken July 7, 2019, in their home in Whitegrass, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure A portrait of Grace Antone (right), her husband, Jacob Antone (center) and her sister, Pauletta Russell (left), taken July 7, 2019, in their home in Whitegrass, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Jacob Antone fills his water tank on July 7, 2019, from the Kayenta Mine N-14 water stand. The Antone’s haul water for their horses every three days. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jacob Antone fills his water tank on July 7, 2019, from the Kayenta Mine N-14 water stand. The Antone’s haul water for their horses every three days. Mark Henle/The Republic Jacob Antone fill his water trough on July 7, 2019, in Whitegrass, Arizona. The Antone’s haul water for their horses every three days. Looking on is Grace Antone. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jacob Antone fill his water trough on July 7, 2019, in Whitegrass, Arizona. The Antone’s haul water for their horses every three days. Looking on is Grace Antone. Mark Henle/The Republic Marvin Russell (right), with his wife Destinee (left) and 5-year-old daughter Asmerah. Russell and his family now live in Logan, Utah, nine hours away from their home on the Navajo Nation. Courtesy of Marvin Russell The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Marvin Russell (right), with his wife Destinee (left) and 5-year-old daughter Asmerah. Russell and his family now live in Logan, Utah, nine hours away from their home on the Navajo Nation. Courtesy of Marvin Russell The Coronado Generating Station on July 5, 2019, near St. Johns. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure The Coronado Generating Station on July 5, 2019, near St. Johns. Mark Henle/The Republic Jarvison Littlesunday (second from left) leads the morning safety meeting in the control room on July 5, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns. Mark Henle, Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jarvison Littlesunday (second from left) leads the morning safety meeting in the control room on July 5, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns. Mark Henle, Mark Henle/The Republic Jarvison Littlesunday walks across the parking lot for the start of his 5 a.m., 12-hour shift on July 6, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jarvison Littlesunday walks across the parking lot for the start of his 5 a.m., 12-hour shift on July 6, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Jarvison Littlesunday opens the door to the boiler on July 6, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jarvison Littlesunday opens the door to the boiler on July 6, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Jarvison Littlesunday checks steam pipes on the 22-foot level on July 6, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jarvison Littlesunday checks steam pipes on the 22-foot level on July 6, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Jarvison Littlesunday looks over the plant from the 177-foot level during his daily inspection on July 5, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jarvison Littlesunday looks over the plant from the 177-foot level during his daily inspection on July 5, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Jarvison Littlesunday enters his travel trailer on July 5, 2019, in St. Johns, Arizona. Jarvison’s family did not make the move from Page to St. Johns. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jarvison Littlesunday enters his travel trailer on July 5, 2019, in St. Johns, Arizona. Jarvison’s family did not make the move from Page to St. Johns. Mark Henle/The Republic Jarvison Littlesunday face times with is daughter, Joy, while eating dinner on July 5, 2019, in St. Johns, Arizona. Jarvison’s family did not make the move from Page to St. Johns. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jarvison Littlesunday face times with is daughter, Joy, while eating dinner on July 5, 2019, in St. Johns, Arizona. Jarvison’s family did not make the move from Page to St. Johns. Mark Henle/The Republic Jarvison Littlesunday face times with is daughter, Joy, while eating dinner, on July 5, 2019, in St. Johns, Arizona. Jarvison’s family did not make the move from Page to St. Johns. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jarvison Littlesunday face times with is daughter, Joy, while eating dinner, on July 5, 2019, in St. Johns, Arizona. Jarvison’s family did not make the move from Page to St. Johns. Mark Henle/The Republic Jarvison Littlesunday talks with the control room on July 6, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure Jarvison Littlesunday talks with the control room on July 6, 2019, at the Coronado Generating Station near St. Johns, Arizona. Mark Henle/The Republic Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:Replay1 of 482 of 483 of 484 of 485 of 486 of 487 of 488 of 489 of 4810 of 4811 of 4812 of 4813 of 4814 of 4815 of 4816 of 4817 of 4818 of 4819 of 4820 of 4821 of 4822 of 4823 of 4824 of 4825 of 4826 of 4827 of 4828 of 4829 of 4830 of 4831 of 4832 of 4833 of 4834 of 4835 of 4836 of 4837 of 4838 of 4839 of 4840 of 4841 of 4842 of 4843 of 4844 of 4845 of 4846 of 4847 of 4848 of 48AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext Slide Fullscreen The extinction of coal in the West: Navajo Generating Station closure The Navajo Generating Station on July 2, 2019, near Page, Arizona. Ryan Randazzo and Shondiin Silversmith, Arizona Republic Published 1:23 p.m. MT Nov. 18, 2019 | Updated 4:56 p.m. MT Nov. 18, 2019CLOSECONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMOREThe Navajo Generating Station coal-fired power plant near Page burned the last of its coal Monday, marking the end of the plant's 45-year run, Salt River Project announced.
The plant was the largest coal plant in the West, and its closure will affect the entire region.
The mine supplying the plant closed in August after sending the final shipment of coal to the plant via an electric railroad that stretched 78 miles between the two locations.
Since then, the plant had burned down its coal stockpile, which covered more area than a Walmart superstore and parking lot.
The last bit of usable coal burned Monday and the power plant, which could produce 2,250 megawatts of power at full capacity, sent its last electrons down the transmission lines to Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas at about 12:09 p.m.
SRP General Manager/CEO Mike Hummel said closing the plant was a difficult but necessary decision based on economics, with natural-gas prices and renewables such as solar becoming much more cost competitive.
“NGS will always be remembered as a coal-fired workhorse whose employees made it one of the safest and most reliable power plants in the nation,” Hummel said in an announcement of the closure.
“After more than 40 years of generating electricity for millions across the West, NGS and its employees are one reason why this region, the state of Arizona and the Phoenix metropolitan area has been able to grow and thrive.”
Now begins the work of decommissioning the power plant, which is expected to take years.
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Two years ago, SRP, Arizona Public Service Co., Tucson Electric Power and NV Energy voted to close the plant. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power already had sold its interest in the plant to SRP.
The decision to close came after years of the utilities fighting to keep the plant running economically while remaining in compliance with air-quality regulations.
But after a deal was struck with the Environmental Protection Agency to keep the plant open at two-thirds capacity, economics prompted the closure vote.
The utilities co-own the plant with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which, along with the Navajo and Hopi tribes, tried unsuccessfully to keep the power plant and Kayenta Mine running.
But the financials didn't work out for another buyer, with more than $100 million in maintenance required to keep the plant running and no anticipated buyer for the electricity.
The Bureau of Reclamation's share of the plant's power was used to pump water on the Central Arizona Project canal from the Colorado River to Phoenix and Tucson. But CAP officials said they would save money procuring power elsewhere.
The coal facilities employed 750 people before operations began to wind down two years ago, and nearly all of the workers were Native Americans.
Most of the miners were laid off, though some will work on reclaiming the land.
Most plant workers already transferred to new jobs at SRP.
Tribes face financial lossesThe closure also marks the beginning of a new era for the Navajo and Hopi tribes, which both will have to plug significant holes in their budgets without the royalties from the mine.
Hopi Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma (Photo: Tom Tingle/The Republic)
Hopi Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma said dealing with the fallout of the closures is a challenge he's accepted and will deal with throughout his term.
"It's hard work, but we're Hopi and we've always been survivors, so we'll survive,” he said. “We share the same concern as the Navajo Nation. It's definitely an impact, but as far as Hopi goes, we're working hard at trying to mitigate this because our community members matter.”
The biggest challenge the Hopi Tribe faces with the closures is revenue. Nuvangyaoma estimates that 80% to 85% of the Hopi Tribe's general fund budget will be affected with the closure, which equals a $12 million or more revenue loss.
“We have to take a hard look at what we're doing right now in order to make sure that services still remain as a priority to our community members,” he said.
The Hopi Tribe is considering a variety of options, such as mineral and land development or tribal gaming.
Navajo leaders tapped into government reserves to make up for the loss of the mine in its latest budget.
But leaders said the tribe must try to replace its coal revenue with new ventures, possibly tied to renewable energy or tourism.
Leaders estimated a $30 million to $50 million decline in coal revenues for 2020, and Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said they took that responsibility "head on."
“It’s the beginning of a new era for the Navajo Nation and the state of Arizona — the start of new opportunities," Nez said in a statement on Monday. "We recognize that NGS provided many benefits for the workers and their families. We thank all of the workers and their families for their service and contributions over the years."
"Times are changing and energy development is changing — the demand for coal-based energy is no longer at its peak not only in our region but across the country," he added. "As Diné people, we have always been resilient in times of change, and that’s what we are doing by pursuing renewable energy options. We are looking to become the leader in renewable energy throughout the Southwest and Indian Country.”
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Alex Tsinnjinnie of the operations department walks on the 200-foot level Aug. 16, 2016, at Navajo Generating Station near Page. Mark Henle/The RepublicFullscreenThe turbine level (top) at Navajo Generating Station near Page. Mark Henle/The RepublicFullscreenJarvison Littlesunday (left) talks with Tom Talker in the Unit 1 control room at Navajo Generating Station near Page. Mark Henle/The RepublicFullscreenSeven pulverizers grind the coal into a powder at Navajo Generating Station near Page. Mark Henle/The RepublicFullscreenAlex Tsinnjinnie of the operations department walks on the 200-foot level at Navajo Generating Station near Page. Mark Henle/The RepublicFullscreenAlex Tsinnjinnie of the operations department holds a heat shield over an open door on the Unit 1 boiler at Navajo Generating Station near Page. Mark Henle/The RepublicFullscreenA SO2 scrubber at Navajo Generating Station near Page. Mark Henle/The RepublicFullscreenCommunications consulant George Hardeen stands at the bottom of the 775-foot-tall Unit 3 stack at Navajo Generating Station near Page. Mark Henle/The RepublicFullscreenInterested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:Replay1 of 82 of 83 of 84 of 85 of 86 of 87 of 88 of 8AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext SlidePage also affectedThe coal plant is just outside the city of Page, where officials are hoping the tourism industry gives the economy enough of a lift to mitigate the closure.
Construction of the coal plant helped the Page population boom after construction of the Glen Canyon Dam finished in the 1960s. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation had established Page as a work camp to build the dam.
The first generator at the power plant began burning coal in December 1973, with its turbine going online in January 1974. It took months to get to full capacity.
The railroad wasn't dedicated until March of that year.
In December 1974, the town voted 474-259 in favor of incorporating, taking control away from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Reach reporter Ryan Randazzo at ryan.randazzo@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4331. Follow him on Twitter @UtilityReporter.
The end of coal in the WestPERSONAL IMPACTArizona power plant's closure symbolizes the demise of coal and its human toll
With Navajo coal plant closing, workers are relocating far from home
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
How a northern Arizona power plant, mine will be wiped from the landscape
Will power plant's closure help clear the air near the Grand Canyon?
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
As power plant closes, Page hopes tourism steadies economy
Navajo, Hopi tribal budgets threatened as coal plant, mine close
FUTURE OF COAL
Coal plant closures are not happening fast enough for climate goals
Renewable energy projects slow to develop on tribal lands. Here's why
Why the growth of coal in China and India is projected to slow
What to know about the closure of the Navajo coal plant and mine
Podcast: How the plant's closure foreshadows the future of coal
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