Project Overview
Tribe/Awardee
Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California
Location
Gunderville, NV
Project Title
Nevada Inter-Tribal Energy Consortium Energy Organization Enhancement Project
Type of Application
First Steps (Planning)
DOE Grant Number
DE-EE0005062
Project Amounts
DOE: $200,000
Awardee: $0
Total: $200,000
Project Status
Complete
Project Period of Performance
Start: September 2011
End: August 2013
Summary
The main purpose of the proposed project will further the achievement and implementation of common goals and strategic energy plans of Nevada member tribes. The continuation, expansion, and development of an increasingly more professional and industry-savvy Nevada Inter-Tribal Energy Consortium (NITEC) benefits member tribes within the state of Nevada and assists in development of projects of regional, national, and global importance.
The project is intended to enhance the capacity of the NITEC to effectively assist Nevada tribes in technically managing tribal energy resources and implementing tribal energy programs. With additional staff, expertise, and resources, NITEC will provide technical assistance and facilitate communication regarding potential energy development opportunities.
Project Description
Background
The Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada (ITCN) is a non-profit 501c(3) corporation that was created in 1963 to provide for social service programs and to provide support to the 27 Nevada Tribal Reservations and Colonies in the State of Nevada. The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California will administer the project. The Washoe Tribe has a long commitment to the restoration of tribal lands and the aboriginal homelands. The tribe is governed by a 12-member, elected tribal council that includes two representatives from each of the four Community Councils, two off-reservation representatives, a Reno/Sparks Indian Colony representative, and a tribal chairperson elected at-large.
On July 23, 2009, the ITCN Executive Board unanimously voted to support the creation of a subcommittee for the development of the Nevada Inter-Tribal Energy Consortium (NITEC). ITCN envisioned that with the formation and development of NITEC, access to information about the energy programs, initiatives and technical resources available for the 27 Nevada tribes would substantially increase the success rate of economic development projects and also help the smaller Nevada tribes participate in programs that may have been out of reach in the past. The NITEC directly benefits the Nevada tribes by supporting networking, information sharing, and collaborative planning for a variety of energy-related programs and development projects. NITEC's assistance plan includes tribal economic development projects, training, employment opportunities, and technical assistance related to energy project development. With additional staff, expertise, and resources, NITEC will provide technical assistance and facilitate communication regarding potential energy development opportunities. NITEC could also function as a point of contact to develop, assemble and communicate project opportunities to the greater energy industry.
Project Objectives
The overall goal of this program is to enhance the capacity of NITEC to effectively assist tribes in technically managing tribal energy resources and implementing tribal energy projects. The objectives include:
- Assisting in the development of renewable energy projects for Nevada tribes
- Researching and coordinating technical assistance in energy-related projects
- Researching and providing information on various funding sources and cooperative agreements for potential renewable energy projects
- Seeking opportunities and coordinating energy-related training and job development
- Supporting renewable energy product development and production for the tribes
- Providing training and conferences on energy related topics
- Collecting and disseminating the latest energy-related information and contacts to the tribes
- Assisting tribes in identifying potential projects
- Providing assistance in economic and business development issues
- Seeking opportunities in green products and technology development.
Project Scope
The Washoe Tribe is the major participating organization involved in the project, and the Washoe Environmental Protection Department (WEPD) will implement the proposed project. The new NITEC Program Manager will report administratively to the Washoe Tribe Environmental Department Director or designee. The project manager will be the initial staffing hire and will provide oversight and direction in meeting the goals and objectives of the proposed project.
The project plan is to:
- Create and fill the NITEC Energy Program Manager position for the consortium (to include hiring of individual and establishment of office)
- Perform working sessions regarding management of tribal energy resources and implementation of tribal strategic energy plans
- Identify tribal energy contacts and create and manage a LISTSERV for energy-related information such as grants, news articles, etc.
- Collect and monitor individual tribal energy program development information
- Identify obstacles and provide assistance and training to individual tribes regarding energy projects
- Create and manage depository of maps, forms, and due diligence regarding energy projects
- Provide strategic energy planning trainings (north, east, west)
- Plan, organize, and facilitate monthly NITEC meetings
- Attend energy related forums, trainings, and conferences.
- Provide some legal and technical assistance through Nevada Legal Services and other technical consultants
- Collaborate with energy professionals such as auditors, solar installers, green energy job trainers, Housing and Urban Development, etc.
- Develop a transition plan to make NITEC a self-sustaining organization.
Project Location
The Washoe Tribe now has approximately 19 noncontiguous parcels totaling 5,236 acres in six different counties between California and Nevada. The majority of the Washoe Tribe's reservation land is located in the beautiful Carson Valley in northwestern Nevada and Alpine County in central California.
Project Status
This project is complete. For more, see the final report.
The project was competitively selected under the Tribal Energy Program's fiscal year 2011 funding opportunity announcement, "First Steps Toward Developing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on Tribal Lands" (DE-FOA-0000422) and started in September 2011.
The November 2012 project status report provides more information.