The Department of Energy (DOE) is bankrolling $6.5 million in clean energy projects on Tribal Lands; which U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu says will allow Native American tribes to advance renewable energy within their communities by "assessing local energy resources and developing and deploying clean energy technologies."
According to the DOE, the funding will create new job and business opportunities on Tribal Lands while lowering energy costs for community members.
Secretary Chu announced that 19 clean energy projects – projects shortlisted for funding after last year’s Tribal Summit with Native American leaders in Washington, D.C. – will share in the $6.5 million cash pool, which will fall under three broad development criteria:
$3.6 Million for Feasibility Studies – Thirteen projects will receive $3.6 million to assess the technical and economic viability of developing renewable energy resources such as photovoltaic solar farms and rooftop solar power systems on tribal lands or study the feasibility of installing renewable energy systems on buildings to reduce energy use by 30 percent.
$1.7 Million for Renewable Energy Development Projects – Four projects will receive $1.7 million for pre-construction development activities. Three are developing more than 250 megawatts of new renewable energy generation, and one, when implemented, would reduce the need for diesel fuel for heating by 80 percent – or 36,340 litres annually.
$1.3 Million for Installation Projects – Two projects will receive $1.3 million to deploy renewable energy technologies to convert waste and other biomass to energy. Once installed, the projects will generate 5 megawatts of energy per hour using municipal solid waste and using cordwood for heating to save between 9,500and 12,000 litres of propane gas.
"The awards announced today will help Tribes across the country advance a sustainable energy future for their local communities, spur economic development, and advance innovative clean energy technologies,” Secretary Chu said in a DOE statement.
Since 2002, the Energy Department’s Tribal Energy Program has provided $36 million to 159 Tribal energy projects.
