Navajo County Economic Developer Director Chris Pasterz presented on REAL AZ during the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting held Tuesday, March 24.
Pasterz, who is Executive Director of the organization, explained that REAL AZ is an “informal regional economic development organization led by community leaders committed to marketing, promoting and strengthening the business environment across the REAL AZ region, which is Navajo and Apache counties, to support long-term economic growth.”
Pasterz reviewed the organization’s 15-year history and the work it has done to ensure businesses coming to the area know what can be provided. “Every time we hold a meeting with these new investors, they look at this REAL AZ and say ‘wow, we’ve never come across this before. We haven’t seen a region that’s as cohesive and can answer our questions upfront and help us guide to where might be the best fit, who we should talk to and work through this process at a regional level.”
It was noted that REAL AZ itself has no staff, and that activities are performed by Navajo County staff members tasked with leading the REAL AZ regional efforts, as stated in the Navajo County Job Descriptions. Pasterz’s position as economic development director, under the county’s administration department, coordinates the activities of REAL AZ and oversees the fiscal management. Membership dues and member contributions, as well as grant funding through local jurisdictions, fund the group. REAL AZ holds no statutory authority.
In response to the outcry of REAL AZ interacting with groups pertaining to solar and wind by certain county citizens, Pasterz explained, “The energy demands are not picked by me or REAL AZ, the market and the utilities determine what they want.” He emphasized that REAL AZ works with any industry or business in the area.
Holbrook City Manager Randy Sullivan spoke during call to the public, stating how much REAL AZ has benefited the city. “Because Holbrook is so rural and small, we don’t have personnel that we can hire to work on economic development, so we rely on the county a lot,” adding the opportunities and connections made through the group would not be possible for the city without the efforts of REAL AZ
REAL AZ Executive Board Member and Apache County Economic Development Director Preston Raban also voiced his support, noting he was speaking as a REAL AZ member and not Apache County staff. He talked about his experience in the group and how he was able to find donors for the Arizona Moonshot program, which supports rural entrepreneurs, during a REAL AZ meeting. “I am very excited for the success that we have been able to see through our being part of that. Whether it be energy, construction, education, communication, economic development, commerce or health, you will have somebody represented here that’s their whole job.”
Not all in attendance were supportive of the economic efforts done through REAL AZ. “It’s rare you get to see a presentation with such B.S. as that was just provided,” said Steve Carvajal. He went on to refer to wind and solar as antiquated technology and that other utility avenues like, small nuclear reactors, are more worthwhile. “Small nuclear reactors are the answer. They’re exceedingly safe, they’re quick to build, they provide far more energy than wind and solar can ever provide.” Carvajal ended by saying he thought the county should fire Pasterz and find a director that’s more aligned with what he felt was valuable.
County resident Belinda Quog spoke against REAL AZ, stating since the organization dissolved as a nonprofit it should no longer function, even as an informal group that doesn’t maintain the nonprofit title. “I’m very disappointed that Chris Pasterz, Jason Whiting and Navajo County have sold out to international renewable companies.”
Doanna Shurwin also spoke, thanking the board for providing the REAL AZ presentation and collaborating in conversation, but noted that she was still skeptical about the efforts being done. Celia Laughlin and Joan Lewis also spoke against REAL AZ, with Lewis stating “We know that when the people’s voice is silenced and the land is sold without ceremony, the whole circle breaks… May you hear the voices of your ancestors and the cried of the unborn. May truth replace fear and may harmony replace greed and may you choose to walk in beauty.”
In support of REAL AZ, Holbrook Mayor Kathleen Smith spoke from over her decade of experience in government. “Having worked in local and regional roles in northeastern Arizona for over 13 years, I can confidently say that I’ve never seen the level of collaboration among government, industry and nonprofit partners that we are seeing today.” Smith noted that Arizona Public Service (APS) and Tucson Electric Power (TEP), private electric utility companies who operate energy productions in the region, are also members of REAL AZ, and are taking part in these conversations. In speaking with the president of APS Ted Geisler, Smith stated “Nuclear was one of the options, in his opinion, that was 10 to 15 years out,” adding that small reactors may not even be enough to supply the power needed when the time comes.
CEO and co-founder Jesse Gronner of Triple Oak Power, which is developing the Black Ridge Renewable Project, a developing 1150 MW hybrid solar and wind project located in the Apache and Navajo counties area talked about the work developers must do to work with communities in a sustainable fashion and how the group helps with that. “REAL AZ presents as a really special, open, transparent collaborative forum to have conversations, not where decisions are on the table, but where ideas can formulate, and information can be shared.” Gronner explained how participating in REAL AZ has been beneficial in working with Apache County to ensure thoughtfulness and support are at the center of their work. “Quite frankly, I wish there were organizations like REAL AZ in other places that we do business.”
Following public comment, Board Member Jason Whiting, who serves on the REAL AZ executive board, clarified he receives no compensation for his efforts in the organization. He praised Pasterz for his diligent work, then addressed the concerns of residents who wish the county to stop wind and solar from entering the county.
“For some reason there seems to be some lack of understanding around here. I hear people say ‘Hey, we need to be better stewards of our land. We need to make sure that we’re protecting our land.’ I love that idea; I like the ownership. What I’d love to see it that some of those people go purchase that land and get to make some decisions with that land.”
Whiting further explained that the land that is being used for solar and wind projects is private, owned by people who have a right to work with businesses and make private decisions. “The only role that the county has within that is to look to see that they’re doing things legally and within the ordinance.” He further went on by saying, “I caution you all to be very careful about understanding what proper governance is. Private property rights matter.”
Whiting even agreed that he personally would prefer to see more nuclear options come to the area, but the board does not have the legislative power to dictate what industry enters the county, which is dictated by market demand and utility companies. “Feel free to have a conversation with the utilities if you would like. They purchase and distribute power.”
Board Member Dawnafe Whitesinger also showed support for REAL AZ, stating the importance of active effort to ensure prosperous economic development. “It takes a great deal of work, for many people, to be invested. And that’s what’s happening here.”
Chair Darryl Seymour directed the county’s legal department to ensure that if there is anything pertaining to REAL AZ that is not legal, to rectify it and bring it to the board’s attention immediately. He then cited that many government entities belong to organizations similar to REAL AZ. “The cities pay to [The League of Arizona Cities and Towns] so that they can collaborate, so that they can champion for laws and rules and things that are happening so they can keep local control away from legislators that want the state to dictate what we do.” Seymour explained the relentless effort county officials put in to supporting county residents. “Some of you have made accusations against people today that I feel they’re unfounded and biased and they shouldn’t be made in a public forum.” Seymour also supported Mayor Smith’s statements on what was conveyed by the APS president, that nuclear plants won’t be possible for another 10-15 years.
He acknowledged the residents who spoke, stating “Donna, thank you for bringing this to our attention, for letting us work through this together as a group.” He ended by encouraged those with questions or concerns to reach out to county staff.
