Contractor is named for Desert Rock power plant

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Fluor Corp., a global company headquartered in Irving, Texas, has been awarded a contract to manage the design and construction of the 1,500 megawatt Desert Rock Energy Project in Nenahnezad Chapter.

The contract award was announced Friday afternoon by Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. in a ceremony at the annual 61st annual Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock. Shirley’s Chief of Staff Patrick Sandoval previously worked for the Fortune 500 Company before returning to the Navajo Nation.

The $3 billion Desert Rock project is a joint development effort of Diné Power Authority and Sithe Global Power LLC of Houston.

“The Desert Rock project is an important part of rebuilding the Navajo economy by providing needed jobs, paychecks and financial security for our people so that we can get back to standing on our own two feet,” Shirley said.

“A project of this size will help the Navajo Nation move away from dependence to regain the independence we lost so long ago. We have the resources and the workforce to do for ourselves,” Shirley said.

Elouise Brown, president of Dooda’ Desert Rock committee, said she and other opponents of the power plant attended the event.

“Joe Shirley paints the illusion that Desert Rock is going to be great for us. He stated ‘I don’t want my people to be dependent on others. I want them to be independent,’ yet Shirley is fostering a relationship with Sithe Global that creates dependence on corporations that will devour natural resources and cause irreparable damage to our land water, and air,” Brown said.

Desert Rock Executive Vice President Dirk Straussfeld said the agreement is another important step forward in making Desert Rock a reality for the Navajo people.

“This announcement locks in place one of the premier engineering firms for designing and building state-of-the-art facilities. We are pleased such an experienced team will help us make this important project — not just for Sithe but furthermore for the Navajo Nation — happen so that the benefits can reach the Navajo People,” Straussfeld said.

Fluor Power Group President David Constable said his company is honored to be chosen for the project. “We look forward to delivering a world-class, modern coal facility at Desert Rock.”