Blackout set for Navajo Nation Saturday

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

FORT DEFIANCE — Electricity for customers in several chapters in Arizona and New Mexico will be off Saturday morning beginning at 7 for four hours, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority said Thursday.

Customers in Window Rock, Oak Springs, Fort Defiance , Navajo, Sawmill, Tohatchi, Twin Lakes , Coyote Canyon and Naschitti areas will be affected by the electrical power outage. Tse Bonito will not be affected because it is served by Continental Divide Electric.

The power outage is so that crews can complete work on an upgrade for the Coalmine substation east of Tse Bonito that will increase power capacity for the regional area, NTUA spokeswoman Deenise Becenti said.

NTUA and Public Service Co. of New Mexico are making the electrical upgrade at the substation, which is a major receiving point for NTUA. The project began in June and this is the final phase, Becenti said.

“The upgrade to the substation will mean more power capacity for the region, and some of the benefits will reduce the power fluctuations within the regions because that substation at times reaches capacity,” Becenti said.

She added that a lot of customers are concerned about their perishable food, but according to the Red Cross, a half-full freezer should hold food safely for up to 24 hours and a full freezer should hold food safely for up to 48 hours.

The Red Cross also recommends that the refrigerator and freezer doors remain closed as much as possible during the power outage.

For items such as milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs and gravy, it is recommended to pack them into a cooler surrounded by ice. Styrofoam coolers will work, Becenti said.

“We know this is going to be an inconvenience and we are asking people for patience and their understanding as these crews do the work that will bring more power to the area,” she said.