This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
More than 1,000 Navajos who live without electricity in their homes soon could get power for the first time as the tribal utility buys a system of southern Utah substations and electrical lines.
Officials say the deal between the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and Salt Lake City-based Rocky Mountain Power will help them connect some of the thousands of people on the 27,000 square-mile Navajo Nation who without a utility considered among the most basic for most Americans.
NUTA spokeswoman Deenise Becenti says the tribal utility expects to start connecting people after they take ownership of the Utah system near Montezuma Creek early next year.
Annie Hamm is without power in her home. The 59-year-old says she's looking forward to getting a refrigerator at home and electric light at night when she finally gets connected.