The Navajo Nation is moving forward with a proposed 234-mile pipeline intended to transport natural gas or a blend of natural gas and hydrogen across tribal lands in New Mexico and Arizona. The Resources and Development Committee of the Navajo Nation Council voted in late March to grant Tallgrass Energy, through its subsidiary GreenView Resources, a conditional right-of-way to begin work on a segment extending from near Farmington, New Mexico, to approximately 40 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona. The resolution passed by a 3-1 margin, with one member absent and the committee chair abstaining, marking the only vote the Nation plans to take on the proposal.

The right-of-way approval is contingent upon completion of all environmental and archaeological clearances. Despite the environmental contingencies, much of the committee’s discussion centered on financial benefits to the Navajo Nation rather than environmental concerns. Committee Chair Brenda Jesus noted the tribe’s limited capital to undertake a project of this scale independently, emphasizing the necessity of partnerships. Co-sponsor Danny Simpson acknowledged potential opposition to energy projects on tribal lands but stressed the importance of securing revenue to support local communities.

Originally conceived as a hydrogen pipeline, the project shifted last year toward transporting natural gas or a natural gas-hydrogen blend—a change made without prior consultation with the Navajo Nation, drawing criticism from some tribal members. Delegate Otto Tso, who cast the sole dissenting vote, said the Nation learned of the change from a third-party source, calling the decision “radical” and inconsistent with Navajo enterprise practices. Tallgrass representatives explained that the shift responded to changing market demands, noting hydrogen’s initial targeting of Asian markets while natural gas currently meets regional needs for power generation and data centers.

The change in fuel type has raised questions about the project’s environmental rationale. While hydrogen was originally presented as a cleaner energy alternative, natural gas is recognized as a fossil fuel that emits greenhouse gases when burned and may leak methane during extraction—a potent climate pollutant. Several committee members appeared to view the project through the lens of advancing energy and economic development, with Simpson underscoring the importance of clean energy broadly defined.

During the committee hearing, discussions also focused on financial arrangements with the communities along the pipeline route. Tallgrass proposed annual payments totaling approximately $400,000 distributed among 13 chapter houses, or about $30,000 each. Some committee members advocated for higher payments, with Tallgrass indicating willingness to consider increased community benefits, contingent on securing customers and future revenues. The company noted it has already provided nearly $1 million in support to local communities.

The proposal has generated mixed reactions beyond the committee. Public comments received prior to the vote included support from New Mexico officials, the Jicarilla Apache Nation Council, and local governments, while opposition came from environmental groups such as Tó Nizhóní Ání. Led by Nicole Horseherder, the group criticized the short public comment window and limited agenda transparency, expressing concerns about ongoing fossil fuel development’s environmental and social impacts on the Navajo Nation. The group has collected petitions from multiple chapter houses opposing the pipeline, arguing for a more robust decision-making process.

Environmental and safety experts have also raised concerns about the differing properties of hydrogen and natural gas as pipeline fuels, noting hydrogen’s unique risks—including its high flammability—and questioning whether infrastructure and safety protocols are adequate for the blended fuel scenario.

At present, the pipeline project remains in a preliminary phase, with no formal applications filed with regulatory agencies in New Mexico, Arizona, or at the federal level. Securing the requisite permits and customers for the proposed pipeline is expected to take several years. Tallgrass projects the pipeline could supply up to three new power plants in Arizona and is seeking additional customers across the Southwest. The committee’s recent vote constitutes an early but contentious step in the project’s development.