The Desert Rock Energy Project will have a 4 year construction schedule. Over that time an average of 1,500 construction workers will be required to build the power plant and associated facilities. Although some positions will be filled by skilled labor from outside the region, many of the positions will be filled by local people.

Employment for project construction and operation will be staffed in accordance with the Navajo Preference in Employment Act, the Navajo Nation Business Opportunity Act, federal law and any negotiated labor agreement(s).

The project will begin to hire operating personnel one year before the startup of the power plant. The plant will operate for 40 to 50 years. Before the plant starts for the first time 200 workers will be needed to operate and maintain the plant. Based on the 2000 census 38.5 percent of all families on the Navajo Nation have a household income under the poverty level. Unemployment rates exceed 50 percent and many college educated students are unable to return to their homes because of lack of jobs. The mine will require an additional 200 workers for its operations. With over 400 jobs with long term direct employment at the project and wages that on average will be $60,000 a year, more than two times the full time workers average Navajo wage of $28,152 according to the 2000 census, Desert Rock will support local prosperity.

Most of the workers that will be required for the construction of the project will be classified as skilled craft. There will be a great need for unskilled and semi-skilled workers and workers who will be in training for skilled construction craft positions. The project will support local and state wide initiatives by private, public and labor organizations providing training to upgrade the technical skills of these workers with the objective of introducing and developing these construction skills (which are in such demand today and likely to be much more in demand in the future) locally and within the Navajo Nation. This training will consist of both classroom instructions and "hands-on" practical application on the jobsite as the construction progresses. During the course of this four year construction effort the project expects that literally hundreds of local people will acquire marketable skills that will provide greater and more rewarding employment opportunity for themselves and their community.

A project of this scale needs numerous local businesses to provide products and services that go to support its operation. Jobs will be created indirectly from the creation of these businesses. Existing businesses will also benefit from increased income of resident workers and from spending by non-resident workers.

The project will generate tax revenue for the Navajo Nation from the operation of the power plant that will exceed $17 million annually.

Navajo Nation coal resources will be used to fuel the power plant. Over one-half the total annual direct revenues to the Navajo Nation and one-half of non-construction jobs in the Navajo Nation are a direct result of the use of Navajo coal. Royalties paid to the Navajo Nation from the use of Navajo coal will exceed $25 million annually.