The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority in partnership with the American Public Power Association has officially launched the 2026 Light Up Navajo VII.
On Sunday, April 12, NTUA hosted an orientation for the teams that traveled from South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Alabama, Rhode Island, Virginia, Utah, and New Mexico.
This year, 53 electric utility companies signed up, which is the largest number of utilities participating in one Light Up Navajo (LUN) season.
NTUA also welcomed Delta Company 249th Engineering Battalion Prime Power, a team from the U.S. Army, marking the first time a military Reservist unit has joined the effort to help energize homes on the Navajo Nation.
“Outside communities and agencies are sending electric line crews to help bring light and hope to families who have waited far too long for electricity. They didn’t just hear about our challenges—they truly listened, understood, and felt called to be part of something deeply meaningful,” said NTUA General Manager Walter “Wally” Haase. “The willingness to support Light Up Navajo speaks volumes.”
Over 300 electric line workers will be traveling to the Navajo Nation over the next few months to help connect the home of Navajo families to the electric grid. Visiting line workers will be working alongside NTUA electric line crews.
“The Light Up Navajo program brings to life the public power ideal of neighbors helping neighbors,” said APPA President & CEO Scott Corwin. “The fact that participation continues to go up year-over-year demonstrates our industry’s urgent commitment to bringing power to the thousands of Navajo people who still live without electricity.”
The visiting crews represent utilities and agencies located in 24 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Virginia.
“We are deeply grateful to these dedicated line workers, who left behind their own families and communities, making personal sacrifices to help dramatically change lives here,” Haase added. “Their compassion and commitment will never be forgotten. It is human kindness at its very best.”
Light Up Navajo has become a unique mutual aid initiative by bringing together utility companies that represent Public Power, Rural Cooperatives, Independent System Operators, and now the U.S. Military.
LUN was created using the foundation of APPA’s mutual aid program, whereby communities send electric crews to areas hit by natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes to assist with power restoration. With LUN, the crews extend power to Navajo homes for the very first time.
