Arizona Public Service Extends Four Corners Power Plant Life Past 2031

NTEC, which operates the Navajo Mine that fuels the plant, signaled strong support for the extension. Board Chairman Tim McLaughlin stated that the decision bolsters regional grid reliability while advancing the Navajo Nation’s pursuit of economic sovereignty. The mine currently employs over 350 people, with a workforce comprised primarily of Navajo Nation members and other Native American tribal members.

The economic stakes remain significant for the region. The Navajo Mine and the Four Corners Power Plant together generate approximately 35 percent of the Navajo Nation General Fund through taxes and royalties. Beyond the direct tax revenue, NTEC maintains an annual economic impact exceeding $128 million, offering high-paying jobs and workforce training programs essential to local families. As the nation’s third-largest coal producer, NTEC continues to leverage these assets to fund community initiatives, including over $1.7 million in charitable contributions distributed in 2025.