American Indian Report - May 2008 - (Page 14)

Native Green: A Wind Solution OVER THE LAST DECADE, it seems every other month a tribe announced a wind energy project. How many have actually materialized? Not many make it past the feasibility studies. With all the challenges they face in getting them off the ground, like not-so-easy access to expertise, capital and equipment, no wonder many don’t. Then along comes native green, a Mission, S.D.-based, American Indianowned firm that recognized the hurdles but also the tremendous need and potential for wind energy on reservations. Native Green CEO Litefoot, the Cherokee actor and musician, said, “It seems like everybody wants to look at wind as viable alternative energy. But what we thought we could do is provide turn-key solutions that would allow tribes to make this a reality for their communities.” The company manufactures, installs and operates wind turbines for rural, community and utility-scale projects plus partners with tribes to assist them in forging the relationships needed for successful wind projects. A Native Green “NG 100” turbine tower being Turbines can take two to four years painted prior to mounting the blades. Photo courtesy of Native Green Energy to get, according to Litefoot, not making it a real-time solution for tribes. Then there is the cost. A 100 MW wind farm is a $220 million to $250 million investment. And how many wind specialists are there in Indian Country? Not too many. As a turbine manufacturer, Native Green can get equipment to tribes faster. Its 100 KW unit will be available in September, and its 2.2 MW unit will be ready in 2009. It can also provide the expertise and facilitate the financial and other partnerships required to develop wind projects. The company is working with the Passamaquoddy in Maine on a project that will supply energy to tribal businesses and residences and will enable the tribe to be a preferred supplier to the state. What is key to a successful wind project in Indian Country? A partner, stressed Jon Ahlbrand, manager of Native Green, one with deep pockets and who can take advantage of the tax credits. Just as important, tribes need to analyze the site, what equipment will work best with the location, the workforce and the return on investment (it can take years to earn it back). “It is all about economics. It is the analysis of will the site work,” Ahlbrand said. 14 May 2008 American Indian Report Biomass: Turning IT WILL HAVE TAKEN SEVEN YEARS and a lot of things coming together to get there, but by 2010 the St. Croix Chippewa of Wisconsin will be producing 8.5 MW of energy from a woodchip-powered biomass operation on its reservation. The tribe is pumped up about the commercial-scale project. Colene Frye, planner for the tribe’s Land, Planning & Development Department, said, “The St. Croix Tribe has long been aggressive in its pursuit of economic diversification.” It has also been aggressive in getting involved with environmentally friendly power. From 2000 to 2003, it partnered DOE’s Office of Ind Helping the Peop IF YOU ARE A TRIBE LOOKING for money to fund a renewable energy project, the U.S. Department of Energy’s recently created Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs does not have a penny right now to offer. Title V of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which mandated the office, authorized for it $750,000, but the funds have not been appropriated yet. Steven Morello, appointed the office’s director last year, said it has something to offer tribes that is better than funding: himself. Since the start of 2008, Morello has traveled some 42,000 miles to visit with tribes, to find out what they want and help them put deals together. “I am at one time a cheerleader, a http://www.gonativegreen.com/ http://www.gonativegreen.com/

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of American Indian Report - May 2008

American Indian Report - May 2008 Contents Courts: Blackfeet Housing Authority Can Be Sued For Unhealthy Homes Congress: Activity on the Hill Ethics & Standards of Conduct: Personal Use of Tribal Property Policy: "Meriless Indian Savages" and the Declaration of Independence Green Technology Grants: New DOJ Program Provides Funding For Rape Crisis Centers Listen & Learn: Multiple Indirect Cost Rates Sweet Success Penobscot Nation Restores Cultural Use of Water Tribes Diversify with Private Equity Fund The Native American YouTube Tribal Government: An Introduction to Strategic Planning

American Indian Report - May 2008

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