Summary

In support of their draft energy strategic plan, Taos Pueblo will conduct a study to determine the feasibility of harnessing the energy potential of renewable resources that are located on the pueblo's lands. The objectives are to perform a detailed inventory and examination of the renewable natural resources located on Taos Pueblo tribal lands; to determine which of these resources could feasibly be harnessed for energy production in a manner that respects the cultural sites and ancient traditional beliefs of the Taos Pueblo people as well as the visual integrity of the tribal lands; and to determine the most feasible and appropriate means of generating, transmitting, and utilizing energy derived from these renewable resources.

Project Description

Taos Pueblo is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian Tribe whose territories encompass over 98,600 acres of trust land. In April of 2002, Tribal leaders, program managers and community members came together to share their visions and concerns regarding energy development and the potential for using the tribe's renewable resources. The results of this meeting were presented in the draft Taos Pueblo Energy Strategic Plan. In accordance with the objectives of this plan, Taos Pueblo will conduct a study to determine the feasibility of harnessing the energy potential of renewable resources that are located on the Pueblo's lands.

Background

Taos Pueblo's government consists of the Tribal Council of Elders, the Office of the Governor and the Office of the War Chief. The Tribal Council is the principal policy and decision-making body. Taos Pueblo contains a diverse array of natural resources, ranging in elevation from 6,140 feet along the Rio Grande to 13,060 feet at the summit of Old Mike Peak. The Taos Pueblo people have resided in this area since time immemorial. There are currently about 1,300 tribal members living on tribal lands. The total number of enrolled tribal members is approximately 2,500.

Objective

The objectives are to perform a detailed inventory and examination of the renewable natural resources located on Taos Pueblo tribal lands; to determine which of these resources could feasibly be harnessed for energy production in a manner that respects the cultural sites and ancient traditional beliefs of the Taos Pueblo people as well as the visual integrity of the tribal lands, and; to determine the most feasible and appropriate means of generating, transmitting and utilizing energy derived from these renewable resources.

Scope and Approach

In performing the Taos Pueblo Renewable Energy Feasibility Study, the Tribe will utilize a systematic scope-of-work to attain its identified goal. The scope-of-work is composed of twelve tasks. Each of these tasks is designed to achieve one or more related "objectives." The fulfillment of each objective therefore collectively contributes to the completion of a specific task. Likewise, the tasks themselves are logistically linked wherein the completion of one task permits the implementation of another.

The fulfillment of each objective within a task generally produces a "measure of completion" such as a written report, an inventory listing, or a set of financial projections. These measures of completion therefore represent "milestones" that will enable the monitoring and tracking of the feasibility study's progress. The tasks follow:

  1. Collection of Base-Line Data
  2. Quantifying Tribal Energy Loads
  3. Data Enhancement and Expansion
  4. First Tribal Leadership Review and Elimination of Site-Specific Resources
  5. Technical Resource Assessment
  6. Social and Sustainability Assessment
  7. Second Tribal Leadership Review and Elimination of Site-Specific Development Options
  8. Tribal Leadership Selection of the Preferred Option(s)
  9. Development of a "Mission Statement" for the Operational Model(s)
  10. Formation of an Interdisciplinary Team
  11. Development and Design of a "Green Building"
  12. Development of the Draft Business Plan
Project Location

Taos Pueblo is located in Taos County of northern New Mexico, next to the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, at the intersection of state highways 64 and 522.

Project Status

This project is complete. For details, see the final report. The project was competitively selected under the Tribal Energy Program's FY2002 solicitation, "Renewable Energy Development on Tribal Lands," and started August 2003. For more information, see the November 2003, October 2004 and October 2005 project status reports.

For additional information, contact one of the project contacts.

Project Contact

Robert Gomez
Environmental Protection Director
Taos Pueblo
P.O. Box 1846
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (505) 758-8626
Fax: (505) 758-8831
Email: rgomez@taosmountain.com

Robert Palmer
Chief Financial Officer
Taos Pueblo
P.O. Box 1846
Taos, NM 87571
Phone: (505) 758-8626
Fax: (505) 758-8831

<p><strong>Tribe/Awardee</strong><br />Pueblo of Taos</p><p><strong>Location</strong><br />Taos, NM</p><p><strong>Project Title</strong><br />Taos Pueblo Renewable Energy Feasibility Study</p><p><strong>Type of Application</strong><br />Feasibility</p><p><strong>DOE Grant Number</strong><br />DE-FC36-03GO13018</p><p><strong>Project Amounts</strong><br />DOE: $195,768<br />Awardee: $0<br />Total: $195,768</p><p><strong>Project Status</strong><br />Complete</p><p><strong>Project Period of Performance</strong><br />Start: August 2003<br />End: December 2004</p>