WINDOW ROCK, Ariz., Sept. 16 - The Office of the Speaker of the Navajo Nation Tribal Council issued the following press release:

The Honorable Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan(Iyanbito/Pinedale) reaffirms his commitment to the 21st Navajo Nation Council decision to support the Desert Rock Energy Company. The Desert Rock Energy Company is an affiliate of Sithe Global Power, which will operate the power plant with Diné Power Authority (DPA) and the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Nation Council overwhelmingly supported the Desert Rock Energy Company with a 66-7 vote to approve the business-site lease on May 13, 2006. "The 21st Navajo Nation Council has already supported the Desert Rock project and their decision has already been made," Speaker Morgan said.

Most recently, DPA was successful in obtaining the approval for the business-site lease - which was approved on May 26, 2006. As head of the Legislative Branch of the Navajo Nation, Speaker Morgan has been very significant through the process involving the Desert Rock project.

Discussion on Desert Rock began in 2003. Desert Rock will be one of the cleanest power plants in existence once it is built. The air permit, which is in Region 9, is in its final review. The Environmental Impact Statement is almost complete, and the comment period has recently been extended to allow for more technical comments - the new due date for comment submission is Oct. 9, 2007. Once the comment period has been closed, there will be a period of review by the cooperating agencies that consist of tribal, state, and federal agencies. The agencies will make their final decision shortly thereafter.

DPA relies consistently on three committees within the Legislative Branch that provides oversight. The Economic Development Committee (EDC) administers the process for the DPA business-site lease. The Resources Committee is responsible for providing the right-of-way for water, and the Budget and Finance Committee (B&F) provides oversight for project funding in cooperation with the entire Navajo Nation Council.

Dirk Straussfeld, Executive Vice-President of Sithe Global Power, added that DPA and Sithe Global have been actively meeting with their assigned committees. In the near future, DPA would like to present their findings to the Navajo Nation Council.

Straussfeld also stated that DPA and the Navajo Nation can own up to 49% of the Desert Rock power plant and they will work together to ensure a good working relationship.

Straussfeld indicated that the Navajo Nation will generate more than $50 million per year from the business-site lease, water, taxes, and from coal revenues. These revenues will go into the tribe's general funds to benefit the Navajo people. Straussfeld added "We appreciate Speaker Morgan, President Shirley, and the entire Navajo Nation Council for their continued commitment to the project."

Steven Begay, DPA General Manager, echoed Sithe Global's support for Speaker Morgan, by saying that he appreciates the help that the Office of the Speaker has provided in this process and thanks Speaker Morgan for managing the legislative process.

"We are very thankful for Speaker Morgan's invaluable assistance with our project." "The Office of the Speaker has been instrumental in helping us to draft legislation, help with funding request, and by helping us with the sovereign right-of-way. We are very appreciative for Speaker Morgan's support." Both Begay and Baldwin praise the Legislative Branch for their support and both agree with Speaker Morgan that we need to continue strategizing future projects on behalf of Navajo people.

"Speaker Morgan has been extremely helpful in assigning the bills to the various appropriate committees for review - he has kept things moving forward," Begay said. "Correspondences that relate to DPA are sent to Speaker Morgan and President Shirley - it's very important that we keep our tribal leaders updated on the progress of the Desert Rock project, and it is always a pleasure to hear from our tribal leaders."

"Future Council sessions will certainly address additional issues related to Desert Rock and Speaker Morgan will continue to play a significant role in improving the quality of life on the Navajo Nation," Straussfeld said.

Sithe Global and DPA recently selected the Fluor Corporation, which will be responsible for the preliminary engineering of the Desert Rock project. The Fluor Corporation is a company that is well known internationally and they have designed and built projects around the world. The Fluor Corporation has designed and built more than $2 billion worth of projects in our region, including the design of the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital.

According to literature provided by the Fluor Corporation, the company employs a significant number of Navajo workers, including mechanics and welders, on power plant projects located in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. The Fluor Corporation is an active member of the Boilermakers "Navajo Lodge" committees in Page, Ariz. and supports the journeymen advancement, training and referral programs for qualified candidates.

"This is an important project for the Navajo Nation, we will continue to have items related to future projects on our agenda and we will continue to work with President Shirley and the Navajo Nation Council to improve the quality of life for the Navajo Nation," Speaker Morgan said.

For more information, contact Steve Roth at the Fluor Corporation at (469)398-7624 or Frank Maisano with Sithe Global Power at (202)997-5932. You may also contact Steven C. Begay, General Manager of DPA, at (928) 871-2268.