PG&E Coworker Leading Charge to Wire Largest Native American Reservation

The Navajo Nation is bigger than the state of West Virginia. The reservation is located in portions of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. It’s the largest Indian reservation in the United States. 

More than 165,000 people live in Navajo Nation, which was established in 1868. Yet, 10,470 Navajo families don't have access to basic electric services.

“The 1930s Rural Electrification Act didn’t include the Navajo Nation in supporting rural communities,” said Sidney Bob Dietz II. “No utility company advocated for the Navajo people at the time. The region was overlooked.”

‘A compelling and ongoing mission’

Dietz, a member of Navajo Nation, plays a major role in connecting families. He's chairman of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, owned by the Navajo Nation Government.

The NTUA was founded 65 years ago. It addresses the absence of utilities on the reservation. The 950 employees help provide electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and telecom services. It also has three 100% Navajo-owned utility-scale solar power stations.

Dietz, PG&E's director of Regulatory Relations, leads the NTUA’s seven-person management board.

“It’s an honor to share my utility knowledge with our Navajo people,” he said. “We haven’t had an electric rate increase in 17 years. We’re the low-cost leader in our region.”

Part of Dietz’s oversight is the Light Up Navajo initiative. This mutual aid project connects the homes of families living without power.

The 239 volunteer workers from 44 utility companies were busy earlier this year. They connected 170 families and added 55 miles of power lines. The work was done over 13 weeks in the spring and summer. In LUN's five-year history, 853 volunteers have connected 889 families and added nearly 250 miles of power lines.

“LUN is a very special project. It's integrated into our work of connecting customers to services they need,” said Dietz.

“Each family has its own story, including my family” he continued. “Serving on the board has allowed me to hear so many of those stories. Can you imagine not having a refrigerator to store fresh food and medicines? How about missing the joys of milk in cartons and popsicles at home? 

“The line workers are astonished to learn there’s a region within the United States with families living without power,” added Dietz. “It’s a compelling and ongoing mission. It’s fun to work with a dedicated workforce.”

A ‘fulfilling and heroic’ mutual aid opportunity

Why should utility companies, like PG&E, get their coworkers involved with Light Up Navajo?

“It’s the most fulfilling and heroic mutual aid opportunity,” said Dietz. “It’s a life-changing event for everyone. You see it as each crew is invited to an appreciation supper. They get to hear the stories of decades without service suddenly transformed.

“Involvement in LUN will remind participants of two things. One, to be proud of being in our great industry. Two, providing energy service to customers who need it. They'll understand the difference it makes,” added Dietz.

“Our products don’t just connect families to dancing electrons,” he concluded. “They connect families to the outside world.”