Karuk Tribe of California - 2007 Project
| Project Overview | |||||||
| Tribe/Awardee: | Karuk Tribe of California | ||||||
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| Location: | Happy Camp, CA | ||||||
| Project Title: | Energy Options Analysis and Human Capacity Building | ||||||
| Type of Application: | First Steps (Planning) | ||||||
| DOE Grant Number: | DE-FG36-07GO17087 | ||||||
| Project Amounts: |
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| Project Status: | See project status  |
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| Project Period of Performance: |
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Summary
The Karuk Tribe of California proposes a project to assess solar, microhydro, woody biomass, and wind energy resources on trust lands within its ancestral territory of present-day Humboldt and Siskiyou Counties in northern California. The project will also promote energy conservation and human capacity building with the Karuk Tribe and its communities.
The Karuk Tribe will analyze electricity production data from photovoltaic systems, small-scale hydroelectric installations, biomass-fired engine generators, and wind generators. The feasibility of marketing excess power will be examined. The project will also analyze the potential to offset consumption of conventional heating fuel with solar thermal energy and heat from biomass- fired cogeneration units.
Project Description
The proposed assessment will identify current energy loads at the tribe's administrative offices, housing, ceremonial grounds, and health clinics in the communities of Orleans, Somes Bar, Happy Camp, and Yreka, as well as outlying parcels of trust land allotments near these communities. Upon determining current energy loads and forecasting future consumption, the assessment will identify energy conservation and efficiency techniques as well as renewable energy options. Community interest and input will be solicited throughout the project through meetings and other education outreach opportunities. The analysis will also examine the export of renewable energy for revenue generation. Factors such as procurement, installation, operation, maintenance, and surplus sales will be evaluated using existing data so the tribe may develop an implementation plan and pursue a feasibility study. Energy assessment, conservation, and the possibility of renewable power generation have key roles to play in the continued self-sufficiency and self-determination of the tribe.
Objective
The goal of the project is to provide the Karuk tribal and nontribal community members in Yreka, Happy Camp, Somes Bar, Orleans and surrounding areas with a power source that is reliable, renewable, environmentally responsible and fiscally forward-thinking. The proposed assessment will identify existing energy loads at tribal administrative offices, housing, ceremonial grounds and health clinics. Upon determining current energy loads and forecasting future consumption, the assessment will identify energy conservation and efficiency techniques as well as renewable energy options that the Karuk Tribe may employ. The analysis will also examine the export of renewable energy from Karuk tribal trust lands for revenue generation. Factors such as procurement, installation, operation, maintenance, and surplus sales will be evaluated using existing data so that the Karuk Tribe of California may develop an implementation plan and pursue a feasibility study. The project will evaluate electricity production data from photovoltaic systems, small-scale hydroelectric installations, biomass-fired generators, and wind generators. The feasibility of marketing excess power will be examined. The project will also analyze the potential to offset conventional heating fuel consumption with solar thermal energy and heat from biomass-fired cogeneration units.
Scope
The tribe's strategic vision includes renewable energy sources since the trust lands are situated along the Klamath River, amidst abundant microhydro, biomass, solar and wind resources. The tribe will assess these resources to promote energy conservation and human capacity building. The tribe seeks to provide its tribal and nontribal community members in Yreka, Happy Camp, Somes Bar, and Orleans with a power source that is reliable, renewable, environmentally responsible, and fiscally forward-thinking. The assessment will identify existing energy loads at tribal administrative offices, housing, ceremonial grounds, and health clinics in the communities. Upon determining current energy loads and forecasting future consumption, the assessment will identify energy conservation and efficiency techniques as well as renewable energy options that the Karuk Tribe may employ. The analysis will also examine the export of renewable energy for revenue generation.
Project Location
The Karuk Tribe of California is located near the California/Oregon border. Project work will take place predominantly within the communities of Orleans, Somes Bar, Happy Camp, and Yreka in California. Yreka is located approximately 35 miles east of Seiad, California. The territory is comprised of rugged, mountainous terrain that is bisected by the Klamath River and its many tributaries.
Project Status
This project is complete. For details, see the final report (PDF 42 MB). Download Adobe Reader.
The project was competitively selected under the Tribal Energy Program's fiscal year 2007 funding opportunity announcement, "First Steps Toward Developing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on Tribal Lands," and started in September 2007.
For additional information, consult one of the project contacts.
Project Contact
Sandi Tripp
Director, Department of Natural Resources
Karuk Tribe of California
P.O. Box 1016
Happy Camp, CA 96039
Telephone: 530-627-3446
E-mail:
stripp@karuk.us
Ramona Driver
Environmental Administrative Coordinator
Karuk Tribe of California
P.O. Box 1016
Happy Camp, CA 96039
Telephone: 530-627-3446
E-mail:
rdriver@karuk.us