Jim Manion, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon

Change doesn’t happen on its own. It’s led by dedicated and passionate people who are committed to empowering Indian Country to energize future generations. Leading the Charge is a regular Office of Indian Energy newsletter feature spotlighting the movers and shakers in energy development on tribal lands.

Name: Jim Manion

Tribe: Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon

Title/Role: Jim Manion is the general manager of Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprises

Areas of expertise: Manion, who has 30 years of experience, specializes in energy generation and transmission.

Current projects: Manion recently completed a reservationwide comprehensive resource plan for energy development potential and assisted in negotiating a natural gas pipeline right-of-way and a 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line row. He’s currently engaged in discussions on the development of a new dual-circuit 500-kV transmission line.

What are the greatest opportunities for Indian Country?
Energy development can serve Tribes in three ways, according to Manion. The first is it can bring power to communities within Indian Country that currently don’t have energy. Second, it can create needed jobs that offer tribal members opportunities to earn incomes sufficient to support their families. And third, it can generate revenue through energy sales, which fosters tribal self-sufficiency.

What are the biggest challenges? Bringing leaders together with community members and establishing a common understanding of what a project can do for them and surrounding communities is the toughest challenge, Manion said. “There are both positive and negative impacts of any project that you bring to a community,” he said. “Understanding the difference and managing the negative are essential to ensuring you can advance a project to completion.”

What is the best part of your job? Manion said working on projects that bring value and future potential to his tribal community is the best part of his job. He enjoys planning and advancing projects that are consistent with his Tribe’s values.

Read more about how the Office of Indian Energy is working with Tribes on community energy planning.

<p>This article was originally published in the DOE Office of Indian Energy&rsquo;s Indian Energy Beat newsletter, which highlights opportunities and success stories in tribal energy development. Read more <a href="/node/627331">newsletter features</a>.</p>