Native lands have vast potential for renewable energy production. Native Americans and Alaska Natives hold 5 percent of land in the United States while holding 10 percent of the nation's renewable energy potential. The Democrats on the Natural Resources Committee are dedicated to bringing renewable energy projects along with the necessary resources and capacity to ensure a cost-effective delivery that is environmentally sound and sustainable on Indian lands.
Native communities have recently begun exploring the development of their renewable resources, and some have already implemented projects in their territories. While there is no comprehensive inventory of renewable energy projects on Native lands, the Bureau of Indian Affairs' (BIA) Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED) has identified approximately 25 renewable energy projects currently under development on tribal lands that may be feasible over the next 2-5 years. Combined, it is estimated that these projects represent up to 2,200 MW of potential renewable energy development and represent a range of renewable energy generation technologies across 9 of the 12 BIA regions.
While the BIA is making improvements to its tribal renewable energy programs, there are still many challenges to renewable energy development on Native lands and new federal policies could improve the ability of Native communities to develop their renewable resources.
Below you will find descriptions of solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower potential and stories from renewable energy projects on Native lands as well as how Democratic representatives on the subcommittee are working to unleash the potential of renewable energy development on Native lands.
Solar
Electricity generation from solar resources on native lands have the potential to produce twice the total electricity that the entire nation requires per year. Solar photovoltaic production could generate 9,275 million MWh per year or concentrated solar power could produce 6,501 million MWh per year on Tribal Lands.
Stories from Native Lands
The Navajo Nation has great potential for solar energy generation, and is currently partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency to assess and prioritize potential sites for solar development.
The Hualapai Tribe used Department of Energy funds to install a small solar energy generation system to power the pump-house for a water pipeline to bring water sources needed for agriculture and tourism. The Tribe, which is located near the Grand Canyon, is now exploring the possibility of a utility scale solar project and is planning to build a 2 megawatt solar hybrid facility and transmission lines to help expand its tourism business.
Wind
Electricity produced from wind resources on native lands could provide about a third of the nation's total electricity demand per year. Tribal lands have a wind potential of 1,331 million MWh per year at a turbine hub height of 80 meters, or 1,554 million MWH per year at a 100 meter height.
Stories from Native Lands
The Campo Kumeyaay Nation in San Diego County was the first tribe in the nation to develop a large scale wind project, and is the only utility-scale renewable energy project in Indian Country. It generates 50 megawatts, which powers up to 50,000 homes and avoids 110,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The Tribe has plans to develop an additional 160 megawatts at the site.
The Navajo Nation is working to develop three utility scale wind projects at Boquillas Ranch in Seligman (500 MW), Gray Mountain (500 MW) and Black Mesa (200 MW) in Arizona. All projects are still in the planning phase, with the former scheduled for groundbreaking in December 2011.
Geothermal
Electricity from geothermal resources on Native lands could provide 1.5 times the nation's total electric generation per year. Conventional geothermal could produce 0.25 million MWh per year and enhanced geothermal systems could produce 6,017 million MWh per year.
Stories from Native Lands
The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe is working to develop a 30-50 megawatt geothermal power plant in the Astor Pass area of its Nevada reservation. The Department of Energy has assisted with the exploration of the area to locate the geothermal resource. The project, if completed, will provide enough energy to power 21,000 to 35,000 homes on the Tribe's reservation.
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs use water from the Warm Springs River to heat facilities at the tribe's resort and casino. The Tribe now saves $400,000 annually by using geothermal heat instead of natural gas.
Biomass
Biomass from Native lands could generate up to 1% of total U.S. electric generation. Solid residues have the potential to generate 4 million MWh per year and gaseous residues could generate about 1 million MWh.
Stories from Native Lands
The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin is developing a 5 megawatt "Waste-to-Energy" gasification power plant. This plant will produce enough energy to power up to 3,500 homes and reduce landfill use in Brown County, Wisconsin by up to 80%. The project will create 30 new full time jobs and 45 temporary construction jobs. The project is being implemented by Oneida Seven Generations, LLC with the assistance of the Department of Energy programs to finance and secure loans.
The Fond du ac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians is in the process of developing a 2.5 megawatt woody biomass cogeneration power plant and a 100,000 ton/year pellet manufacturing plant. The plant will create 75 full time jobs and provide a renewable home-heating option. The Tribe formed a tribal utility for the project and is being assisted by the Department of Energy.
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota jointly owns a biomass energy plant with Rhar Malting Company. The biomass plant burns agricultural byproducts to produce 24 MWh of energy to power the malting plant and sell to a utility company.
Hydropower
Native lands have the potential to generate less than 1% of our total electricity generation, or 7 million MWh per year, from small hydropower projects.
Stories from Native Lands
The Crow Nation's reservation holds the Yellowtail Dam, which generates half a billion KWh of power per year. Despite some initial payment for the 5500 acres of land to build the dam, the Crow Nation does not receive payments for the power generated by the dam. The Crow Nation is now seeking to develop its own dam, the Yellowtail Afterbay, which is a small, low-head hydropower facility that would generate approximately 10-15 MW.