As Arizona enters another active wildfire season, Navajo County leaders welcomed Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Nick Myers to northeastern Arizona for a firsthand look at one of the state’s most important pieces of forest restoration infrastructure.
Following recent testimony before the Arizona Corporation Commission regarding Arizona’s energy future, Navajo County Supervisor Jason Whiting invited Chairman Myers to tour the Novo BioPower biomass facility in Snowflake. Chairman Myers accepted the invitation, joining Navajo County Chairman Daryl Seymore, Supervisor Jason Whiting, and Novo BioPower President and CEO Brad Worsley to discuss the important role biomass plays in forest restoration, economic development and Arizona’s energy future.
The visit focused on how the facility creates a productive use for low-value wood removed during forest restoration projects throughout northeastern Arizona. By providing a market for material generated through forest thinning, biomass helps make large-scale forest restoration more economically sustainable while reducing hazardous fuels that contribute to catastrophic wildfires.
“With fires impacting communities across Arizona, the importance of healthy forests has never been more apparent,” said Supervisor Whiting. “I appreciated Chairman Myers taking the time to visit Navajo County and see firsthand how biomass supports active forest management, helps protect our communities from catastrophic wildfire, creates family-supporting jobs, and contributes to Arizona’s long-term energy resilience.”
Healthy forests provide benefits well beyond the communities where restoration work occurs. Active forest management helps reduce wildfire risk, protects critical watersheds that supply water to millions of Arizonans, improves wildlife habitat, sustains Arizona’s forest products industry, and preserves the outdoor recreation opportunities that contribute significantly to the state’s economy.
“Forest health is not just a rural issue—it affects every Arizonan,” said Vice Chair Dawnafe Whitesinger. “Healthy forests protect communities, safeguard our water resources, support wildlife habitat and strengthen local economies. We appreciate Chairman Myers taking the opportunity to visit Navajo County and learn more about the partnerships making this work possible.”
During the tour, local leaders discussed how biomass complements responsible forest management by creating value from material that would otherwise have little economic use. Without markets for this material, forest restoration becomes significantly more difficult and costly to accomplish at the scale Arizona’s forests require.
Discussions also highlighted the importance of continued collaboration among federal, state, local, tribal, and private-sector partners. Long-term investments in forest restoration infrastructure—including logging, transportation, milling, biomass utilization, and wood products manufacturing—are essential to increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration across Arizona.
“Arizona’s energy future will require practical, balanced solutions,” Chairman Seymore said. “Biomass demonstrates that we don’t have to choose between protecting our forests, supporting our rural economy and strengthening our energy portfolio. When we work together, we can advance all three.”
Whiting noted that the visit reflects Navajo County’s commitment to working collaboratively with state leaders, land management agencies, utilities, and industry partners to advance practical solutions that benefit communities across Arizona.
“Navajo County has long been a leader in responsible forest stewardship,” Whiting said. “We appreciate Chairman Myers’ willingness to come to our community, see these efforts firsthand and engage in thoughtful discussions about policies that help keep our forests healthy, our communities safer, and our rural economy strong.”
