2009 Volume Fourteen, Number Two Customer NewsletterNETWORK

50 th1959 -2009A N N I V e r s A r Y

The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority Apprenticeship

Training Program continues to grow as more employees are being trained to become better skilled at performing their jobs in a safe and efficient manner.

For more than 40 years, NTUA has offered the Appren-tice Training program to attract employees in various utility trades, mostly in the electric, and water/waste water opera-tions.

The on-the-job training program was established in order to meet the demands of utility trades with a properly trained workforce. The pro-gram, coordinated with the U.S. Department of Labor and the State of Arizona, is a combina-tion of on-the-job training and related training.

NTUA has graduated 79 apprentices in the utility trades since 2000, with 11 graduating in the electric apprenticeship program in the last two years. Those employees then move up and become journeymen.

“These individuals are first hired as helpers,” said Bernice L. Tsosie, NTUA Training and Apprenticeship Representative. “Completion of their program takes hard work and dedication; these individuals often work more than eight hours a day and then attend a weekly tutor

Arizona Apprentice of the YearL-R: Kenneth Jones and

Christopher Honyumptewa

class. It’s a process that takes several years to get through. It’s challenging and graduates have demonstrated true commit-ment.”

In the past few years, NTUA apprentices have been selected as Apprentices of the Year in the State of Arizona.

“To be selected as an Ap-prentice of the Year, the em-ployee must meet strict criteria, including; obtaining a high grade point average and a high rating on their job performance evaluation,” Ms. Tsosie said. “NTUA is among 128 utility training programs throughout the state, so to receive the Ap-prentice of the Year marks a dis-tinction in a class of its own….

Continued page 2 “Apprentice”...

NTUA provides Training for Skilled Jobs

PO Box 170Ft. Defiance, AZ, 86504

928-729-5721www.ntua.com

CHINLEPO Box 549

Chinle, AZ 86503928-674-5670

CROWNPOINTPO Box 1825

Crownpoint, NM 87313

505-786-5566DILKON

HC 63 Box DWinslow, AZ 86047

928-657-3258FORT DEFIANCE

PO Box 587Ft. Defiance, AZ

86504928-729-5727

KAYENTAPO Box 37

Kayenta, AZ 86033928-697-3574

SHIPROCKPO Box 1749

Shiprock, NM 87420505-368-4634

TUBA CITYPO Box 398

Tuba City, AZ 86045928-283-5421

RED MESA928-656-3212

NAGEEZI505-632-8022

UTILITY EMERGENCYand OUTAGES

toll Free 1-800-528-5011you will talk directly to

a Utility Dispatcher

Moving Forward with Sincere Dedication and Solid Commitment

Greetings. I am happy to report that our 2008 audit

is complete and indicators show that NTUA is in very good financial shape. For the past several years, NTUA finances were below expectations, leading us to seriously take an internal look and implement new changes. There were a number of issues addressed. As a result, the financial picture began to look brighter, and continues to do so.

NTUA is also looking into future energy development, especially in renewable energy, specifically solar and wind. We have met with a few Navajo Nation Council committees to explain our proposed plan. We explained to tribal leaders that we would like to develop a Wind Farm on the Big Boquillas

Ranch west of Flagstaff. Our preliminary plan is to

build and operate a Wind Farm to generate and sell electricity. The best part of this plan is that the Navajo Nation, through NTUA, would be a 51 percent owner. This means that for once, the Navajo Nation would directly benefit from energy produced on its own land, us-ing clean resources.

We are also conducting an-other preliminary Wind Study on Black Mesa. We hope to gather information that will tell us if building a Wind Farm on Black Mesa is feasible.

NTUA is also actively seek-ing federal Stimulus fund-ing. President Barack Obama pledged funding to help im-prove communities throughout the country. We hope that we

will receive funding for water/wastewater facilities and en-ergy efficiency efforts. We are working with the Navajo Na-tion administration to explore Stimulus possibilities to help strengthen utility development.

Overall, NTUA progress is priority. Our crews are working hard throughout the service area to keep the power on, the water and natural gas flow-ing. Our new on-line payment option allows customers to pay their utility bills without having to travel to their district office.

As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary this year, we want you to know that we are doing all that we can to make your life a little bit easier. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact any of our NTUA offices.

by Walter W. Haase, NTUA General Manager

save travel costsconsider new ntuapayment option on-line payment is now available for credit or debit cards. Get signed up right away by going to www.ntua.com and click on the new payment center, top right of the home page. if you do not have internet access, you can make your electronic check payment directly by dialing 1-866-903-4452. save $$ today without having to drive to the ntua office. Get signed up for on-line payments today!C

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www.ntua.comclick on

Payment Center

Electronic Funds dial1-866-903-4452 pay on-line

Shiprock NTUA District Exceeds Memorial Fund-raising Goal

Shiprock employees pushed the limit and surpassed a scholarship fund-raising

goal established in memory of their former co-worker, Norman F. Yazzie, an electric lineman who died of natural causes last fall. In total, employees collected more than $20,000 for the Norman F. Yazzie Memorial Educational Fund, an educational scholar-ship fund for the youngest Yazzie children.

While NTUA employees submitted individual financial contributions, district offices and departments organized various fund-raising activities, such as lunch and breakfast sales. However, the highlight of the fund-raising accomplishment focused on the 2009 Red Thunder Rolling Bike Run from Gallup to Albuquerque.

This year, Red Thunder Rolling wel-comed more than 300 motorcyclists and riders this year, as the annual bike run left Fire Rock Casino and headed to the Gather-

ing of Nations Powwow, April 25th. Accord-ing to Red Thunder Rolling Director Paul Bemore, the event was a huge success, raising thousands for the Yazzie memo-rial fund. “The event collected over $10 thousand, which surpassed by far our initial estimate,” Mr. Bemore said. “The success was a cooperative effort pulled together in the spirit of family and community.”

NTUA would like to thank the following businesses who supported and donated to the 2009 Red Thunder Rolling – Norman F. Yazzie Memorial Educational Fund: Navajo Engineering Construction Authority, Fire Rock Navajo Casino, Triad Western Con-structors Inc., Shiprock City Market Food Center, All-American Technical Team, Lane Electric, Inc., Dyron Murphy Architects, P.C., Native Resource Development, Inc., , CJR Development, Shiprock Laundry, T & D Services, and TRC Solutions.

EnergyConservation Equals

Saving Money

Supplying the Navajo Nation with electrical power is part

of our mission – so is helping our customers do what they can to use electric energy efficiently. Here are a few energy conservation steps we recommend and suggest. Every small step may make a big dif-ference on your next electric bill.

Turn off everything you are not • using: lights, TVs, computers, etc.When using your air conditioner, • set your thermostat to the low-est possible comfortable setting. During hot months, keep window • coverings closed on the south, east and west windows. Only heat or cool the rooms you • need. Close vents and doors of unused rooms. Lower the temperature on your • water heater. It should be set at “warm”, so that a thermometer held under running water reads no more than 120 degrees. Open your refrigerator door • as seldom as possible. Keep frequently used items in the front of the refrigerator so you can find them easily. Also, keep your refrigerator as clean as possible, inside and out. A layer of dust forces the motor to work harder, therefore using more energy. When washing and drying • clothes, make sure to adjust the washing cycle to match the size of the load and use cold water whenever possible. Use the low heat setting on the dryer when you can. When washing dishes, always • wait until the dishwasher is completely full before running it. Air dry dishes rather than us-ing the heated dryer. When cooking, use a microwave • when possible. They use less energy and keep the kitchen cooler.

Apprentice... continued from page one

Water ConsumerConfidence Reports

Available

In accordance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, NTUA releases

reports each year regarding each of its public water systems. The report, called Consumer Confidence Report, is available at each district office and contains information about the quality, treatment, and management of the drinking water supply. The report reassures our dedication and commitment to provide safe and quality drinking water. To receive a copy of your community CCR, or if you have any questions or want additional information about any aspect of your drinking water, please contact your local NTUA office.

Construction on a new northern Navajo substation has been moving

at a steady pace, as electrical contractors work to build and connect a substation that will boost electrical power to the Shiprock area. By early fall, the new $3 million substation will be fully functional and is sure to increase reliability for the Shiprock Region.

“Through this significant improvement, the increased power capacity will meet expectations, especially in the area of economic development,” said NTUA General Manager Walter W. Haase. “The

new power infrastructure will support large development ventures, bringing more jobs and new additional services to the community.”

Meanwhile, NTUA electrical crews are working to install a new 115 kv trans-former to the Cudeii substation. Improve-ment to the substation also helps meet the demand for electrical power, as NTUA receives more requests for electric connections. Construction completion for the new transformer is slated for the Fall of 2009. Initial unforeseen delays included rights of way and weather.

Construction Pressing Forward

in Northern Navajo

New Shiprock Electric Substationunder Construction

New District Managers Named

NTUA is proud to announce new lead-ership for three NTUA District Offices.

Mr. Philemon Allison, who served as Office Supervisor, Field Superintendent and Interim Fort Defiance District Man-ager, has been named as Fort Defiance District Manager. In Kayenta, Ms. Patricia Watchman, who was the Customer Service Supervisor, and Interim Field Superinten-dent, has been selected as Kayenta District Manager. Ms. Rubianne Dugi, who worked as the Customer Service Supervisor in Tuba City, and Office Supervisor in Shiprock, has been appointed as Dilcon District Manager.

These individuals bring a vast amount of knowledge and experience to their re-spective districts, having served in various roles, including utility field operations and customer service.

Philemon Patricia Rubianne Allison Watchman Dugi

the best of the best.” In the Electric field, Kenneth Jones, an

Electric Line Maintainer Apprentice with the NTUA Headquarters Electric Construc-tion Crew, and Christopher Honyumptewa, a Water/Wastewater Systems Operator Apprentice with the NTUA Chinle District, were selected as the 2008 Arizona Appren-tices of the Year.

Recently, after four years of hard

work and study, Shawn Yazzie, Dwayne Wauneka, and John Bodie have reached Journeyman status. Shawn works as a Line Maintainer Journeyman with Chinle Electric Operations, Dwayne, with the Fort Defiance Water/Wastewater Operations, and John, with the Crownpoint Sub-office Water/Wastewater Operations.

Currently there are 47 apprentices employed at NTUA.