Navajos, Sierra Club Protest Coal-Fired Power Plant

More than 250 people packed the New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe on February 5 to protest the proposed Desert Rock coal-fired power plant on Navajo Nation lands, as well as the $85 million tax break the legislature is considering for Sithe Global, the Texas/New York-based company that wants to build it. Eighty Navajos traveled four hours from their homes near the proposed plant, and 25 tribal elders met with Governor Richardson and his environmental policy advisor prior to the rally. Protestors made office visits to deliver more than 60 letters to state legislators and 76 letters to the governor. The Sierra Club worked with 14 other environmental groups to organize the rally. Navajo elders, below, wait to meet with Governor Richardson.

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