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Navajo Nation President Approves Energy Policy

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly has signed off on a bill that keeps coal prominently in the tribe's energy mix.

Shelly signed an update to the tribe's energy policy on Thursday in Window Rock. He also signed a bill that gives $4 million to a tribal company set up to purchase a coal mine in northwestern New Mexico.

The Tribal Council had approved the bills earlier this week during its fall session.

Shelly says the tribe must explore clean coal technology while making strides in renewable energy development.

Shelly had told lawmakers that he wouldn't support the purchase of the Navajo Mine from BHP Billiton if they didn't vote to update the tribe's 1980 energy policy.

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