The implications of the regional haze rule on renewable and wind energy development on Native American lands in the west: Working paper series--02-21

A study conducted at Northern Arizona University investigated the barriers and opportunities facing Native American tribes in the west when considering development of their renewable energy resources in order to reduce regional haze. This paper summarizes some of the findings of that work with special attention to wind energy. Background information is presented concerning the regional haze rule and the western regional air partnership, and some of the circumstances surrounding development of tribal energy resources. An assessment of tribal energy issues revealed that many Native American tribes are interested in developing their renewable resources. However, this development should occur within the context of maintaining and strengthening their cultural, social, economic, and political integrity. Furthermore, it is shown that Native American lands possess an abundant wind resource. A list of potential actions in which tribes may participate prior to or during development of their wind or renewable resources is provided

Recommendations for reducing energy consumption and improving air quality through energy efficiency in Indian Country: Working paper series--04-04

The strongest recommendation stemming from the Air Pollution Prevention forum of the Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP) was for tribes to develop and implement energy plans. This paper provides a discussion of the benefits of any such plan and itemized a variety of components of any said plan. A brief discussion of the WRAP is presented is the framework of improving air quality. Based on the background of Jacobs (2000) and Smith (2000), the primary and secondary benefits of energy efficiency plans are then discussed. Then a series of specific recommendations are itemized. These include tribally sponsored programs, collaborative opportunities, and tribal leadership programs

Economic analysis of energy efficiency measures: Tribal case studies with The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of The Flathead Reservation, The Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and The Yurok Tribe: Working paper series--04-02

The best way to reduce air pollution from the production of electricity is not to produce it in the first place. This paper presents three cases studies explaining how energy efficiency programs can be beneficial to tribes from a purely cost-saving basis, The Yurok, Flathead and Pascua Yaqui Reservations graciously provided an opportunity to investigate energy efficiency for their tribes. In each case the consumption of electricity was reduced such that a positive net present value was present following an initial capital investment. In the case of the irrigation systems on the Flathead Reservation, the savings were substantial even though no explicit savings of water was accounted for. It is estimated that tribes can reduce electricity costs by 10-50% by following energy efficiency programs. Many programs can be very simple involving small upfront capital outlays, such as changing light bulbs or installing motion sensors. The Yurok case showed a return of 7.5% after simply changing bulbs and the Pasqua Yaqui case showed a possible return of 10-80%. Other tribes could make similar investments and realize similar benefits in addition to improved air quality. The strongest recommendation from the Air Pollution Prevention Forum to tribes was to develop an energy plan. These cases show that some fairly simple analysis can make a plan very beneficial

Identification and implementation of potential energy efficiency programs in Indian Country: Working paper series--04-03

The strongest recommendation stemming from the Air Pollution Prevention forum of the Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP) was for tribes to develop and implement energy plans. This paper provides a discussion of the benefits of any such plan and itemized a variety of components of any said plan. A brief discussion of the WRAP is presented is the framework of improving air quality. Based on the background of Jacobs (2000) and Smith (2000), the primary and secondary benefits of energy efficiency plans are then discussed. Then a series of specific recommendations are itemized. These include tribally sponsored programs, collaborative opportunities, and tribal leadership programs

Economic Analysis of Energy-Efficiency Measures: Tribal Case Studies with the Yurok Tribe, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe

Energy efficiency (EE) is maximizing the effective utilization of energy while minimizing the costs of that energy. Implementation of energy-efficiency programs by a tribe can have many positive impacts. These include the reduction of energy costs and the associated freeing of significant financial resources for other important uses, improved electrical service, increased energy independence, improved air quality, reduction in environmental impacts, and others. Foremost among these benefits may be the potential for reduced energy costs. By employing EE measures, it is easily possible to save 10 percent on energy costs, and the potential exists to save in excess of 50 percent. Thus, if a tribe spends $100,000 annually on energy, it can expect a minimum energy cost savings of$10,000 annually and perhaps significantly more