American Indian Report - May 2008 - (Page 15)

Woodchips into Watts with Caterpillar to develop a natural gas-fired peaking power plant. The biomass-fired plant project began in 2003 with a feasibility study, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The study found that due to resources and transmission infrastructure, the project would have to be limited to 8.5 MW. The study also showed, however, that the technology was easily accessible and the tribe could take advantage of the essential tax credits and renewable energy certificates. Funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs has supported the tribe’s work on the project over the last few years. When up and running, the $25 million operation will employ 12 to 14 fulltime employees. It will burn around 100,000 tons of woodchips each year, all purchased within a 50-mile radius of the plant, spending about $3 million with local vendors. Though every watt of energy generated will be sold to the grid, the tribe will be able to negotiate an interruptible rate with current power suppliers, a huge benefit. It is also considering using micro-biomass operations to heat tribal buildings constructed down the road. What is key to a wind project’s success? State mandates requiring utilities to increase their annual sales of power from renewable sources. Wisconsin recently implemented its policy: a two percentage point increase annually by 2010 and a six percentage point increase by 2015. Also critical is public recognition and acceptance of the need to be greener. Tom Roche, project development advisor, said, “Biomass requires a higher price in the marketplace right now. The public has to be willing to accept taking a small portion of their power and paying more for it.” ian Energy Policy and Programs: le Help Themselves dealmaker and a government official all wrapped into one,” he said. Morello focuses on the five major renewable technologies — wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydro. Because he has so much to do and so little time to do it (he leaves when President Bush leaves), he has selected a few projects from each of the categories and puts the bulk of his energy into supporting them. In the “wind” category, for instance, he has identified projects implemented by the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, the Rosebud Sioux and the Navajo Nation. That his office has no money yet to bolster these projects may not be such a bad thing, as Morello sees it. Federal funds, he said, can’t be relied on due to year-to-year budget changes; they always come with strings, which goes against tribal sovereignty and self-determination; and they often result in dependency. Indian Country could not ask for a better guy to back it. While a federal official, he is also Native American, a member of the Sault Saint Marie Tribe, so he knows what is best for tribes. “I try to help the people help themselves. That is the best thing any government official can offer,” he said. Morello identified several musts for any renewable project in Indian Country. One is community acceptance, which demands spending a lot of time explaining what the tribe wants to do. Second, a tribe needs to understand its resources. If it wants to pursue wind, how strong is the wind there? If it wants to do solar, how often does the sun shine? Also key is finding a partner so that the tribe, which does not pay federal taxes, can take advantage of tax credits. Morello is looking at partnerships with Alaska Native corporations, which are Native-owned but pay taxes. Finally, there is finding a funding source. For this, Morello is eyeing wealthy casino tribes, tribes that may not have much renewable potential yet have an interest in investing in green energy. May 2008 15 American Indian Report

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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