As vice chairwoman of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors, my commitment has always been to the well-being of our communities, the protection of our land and the empowerment of our residents. In recent months, renewable energy has become a topic of strong debate, with some asking the county to prohibit all wind and solar development. I hear those concerns, and I take them seriously. But I also have a responsibility to be transparent about what county leaders can — and cannot — do.
Counties in Arizona are an extension of the state. That means we are bound by state and federal laws, and we cannot ban legally allowable businesses simply because some may oppose them. If the county attempted to block a renewable energy project that meets all legal standards, taxpayers would face costly lawsuits with limited chance of success. On top of that, counties do not control tax incentives — those decisions come from the federal and state levels, where renewable projects currently receive significant financial credits. These incentives make central Navajo County an attractive place for developers, regardless of local sentiment.
But while we cannot prohibit renewable energy projects outright, we can make sure they are developed responsibly and with strong safeguards for our communities. That is exactly what we have been doing.
Over the past year, Navajo County strengthened zoning rules, development agreement requirements and environmental protections for renewable energy projects. These updated regulations enforce setbacks from homes, impose strict noise and lighting standards, require visual impact considerations, and mandate detailed environmental studies to protect wildlife, migration corridors, cultural sites and sensitive areas. We require developers to secure financial bonds to guarantee that sites can be properly decommissioned and restored when projects reach end of life.
Many residents have raised concerns about water use. The truth is that utility-scale wind and solar facilities require far less water than the coal plants that historically operated in our region. Once construction is complete, water use is limited to occasional cleaning of panels.
Throughout all of this, we remain committed to respecting private property rights. Landowners have the legal right to use their land for enterprise as long as all federal, state and local requirements are met. Our responsibility is to regulate projects in a way that protects public health and community welfare while honoring those rights.
I strongly encourage residents to participate in public meetings, listen to developers’ presentations, and attend Board of Supervisors hearings when new projects are reviewed. For those wanting reliable information about processes, regulations, and frequently asked questions, you can visit Navajo County’s Information Center at www.navajocountyaz.gov/815/County-Information-Center.
Finally, meaningful changes in renewable energy incentives can only happen at the state and federal levels. Navajo County leadership is already advocating with lawmakers, urging them to reconsider current tax credits and elevate the voices of our communities — but we need your support. Reach out to your elected leaders and let them know your concerns. Collective advocacy strengthens our influence. We may not control every factor driving renewable development, but we do control how we stand together as a community. My priority remains protecting our land, honoring our residents’ rights, and ensuring that Navajo County’s future is shaped with care, transparency, and respect.
***
Supervisor Dawnafe Whitesinger serves as a representative for District V on the Navajo County Board of Supervisors.
