Most American children never think twice about flipping on the light. They rarely, if ever, give thought to the electrical outlet on the wall from which power for their digital devices flows. And they couldnt imagine the idea of completing homework each night by candlelight.
And yet, children such as Maria, 9, and Erika, 6, and their parents, Monica and Nathanial Johnson, who live on a New Mexico portion of the Navajo reservation, dont have to imagine it. Thats how they live.
Its hard to get the kids ready for school by lamplight, said Nathanial Johnson, the childrens father. Hes lived 32 years of his life without electricity.
A report in 2000 from the Energy Information Administration said 14 percent of Native American homes on reservation lands had no access to electricity and 1.4 percent of all U.S. households had no access to power. Nearly 37 percent of homes on the Navajo reservation had no electricity, the report said.
And in the Johnsons case, theres the added irony that electricity flows freely through transmission lines visible from their home.
We cant tap into them, Nathanial Johnson said, staring at the lines.
It costs about $30,000 per mile to tie a home into the grid money the necklace-beading mother and father who does contract work building wireless cell towers in the area do not have.
Instead, they rejoice for the small hybrid solar-wind system recently installed in their yard.
The rent-to-own system, which includes some battery storage and is partly subsidized by a grant through the Navajo Nation, costs them $75 per month. It provides enough energy to power a small fridge, a few lights and, occasionally, a television. Other power needs, such as charging the couples cellphones, are met with the help of family and friends who live elsewhere.
We can watch half a movie now, Maria Johnson said.
The stored power tends to run out before the end.
But they dont dwell on the downsides. The Johnson family are happy to have the limited power.
Now, sometimes I can bead into the night, Monica Johnson said.
Regular checks of the solar panel to ensure a warning light hasnt turned red to indicate the stored reserves are low have made the family incredibly energy conscious. There is never more than one light on in the home at once. And no one stands too long with the fridge door open.
When you live your entire life without electricity, man this is good, Nathanial Johnson said.
hscofield@durangoherald.com
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