Staying warm: NTEC coal program partners with Miss Navajo to address heating needs
Navajo Times | Robert Bettis
Volunteers bag coal for distribution at the Many Farms Chapter House during the Navajo Transitional Energy Company’s Community Heating Resource Program event on Wednesday. The program provides free coal to residents, ensuring elders and families have a reliable heating source for the winter.
By Robert Bettis
Navajo Times
MANY FARMS, Ariz. – Despite a mild winter this year, the importance of coal for heating homes remains critical for families across the Navajo Nation.
With the closure of nearby coal mines, many families are struggling to secure this essential resource. To address this need, the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, in partnership with the Office of Miss Navajo Nation, has expanded its Community Heating Resource Program, providing free coal to residents through the chapter houses. The program, which serves all 110 chapters, is a great resource for families who rely on coal to stay warm during the winter months.
Last week in Many Farms, community members lined up to receive two complimentary bags of coal per car. Perry Reed, who is Tótsohnii, shared his experience with alternate heating sources and explained that coal and firewood are his preferred methods for keeping his home warm.
“I tried using propane, but the fumes were too strong, and I think it might have been giving off carbon monoxide,” he said. “I just shut it off and stuck with coal and firewood.”
To read the full article, please see the Feb. 27, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow