California Native American Tribes receive $2m to develop clean energy projects
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has awarded $2 million (€1.64 million) to 10 California Native American Tribes for climate and clean energy projects, including bioenergy plans.
Awarded through the Tribal Government Challenge Planning Grant Programme and funded by the CEC and California Strategic Growth Council, the money will support projects that identify solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve clean energy access, and advance climate resiliency on Tribal lands and in tribal communities.
The grants range from $215,000 (€177,000) to $250,000 (€206,000) and support planning for a variety of climate change and clean energy projects, including energy storage, renewables, biomass, and community and energy resilience to climate impacts.
Among the 10 projects are the following bioenergy-related plans:
“California recognises the leadership of Tribes in advancing strong clean air standards as well as ambitious climate energy goals,” said Christina Snider, Tribal Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom. “These grants provide opportunities to focus on new Tribal climate and energy planning activities.”
Karen Douglas, CEC Commissioner, commented: “The CEC is proud to provide funding to support Tribal climate leadership through this unique initiative.
“These tribally-driven projects will bring important search and technological gains while helping ensure all communities benefit from access to the state’s clean energy investments.”
Awarded through the Tribal Government Challenge Planning Grant Programme and funded by the CEC and California Strategic Growth Council, the money will support projects that identify solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve clean energy access, and advance climate resiliency on Tribal lands and in tribal communities.
The grants range from $215,000 (€177,000) to $250,000 (€206,000) and support planning for a variety of climate change and clean energy projects, including energy storage, renewables, biomass, and community and energy resilience to climate impacts.
Among the 10 projects are the following bioenergy-related plans:
- The Kashia Band of Pomo Indians (Sonoma County) received $250,000 (€206,000) for a comprehensive energy planning project for residential and community facilities including on-site renewable energy generation. This grant will also fund a study to examine the feasibility of biomass fuel and energy production from tribally-owned forests.
- The Pit River Tribe (Shasta, Siskiyou, Modoc, and Lassen Counties) received $250,000 (€206,000) for a feasibility study of solar and biomass production and energy storage capabilities on the tribe’s land.
- The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians (Lake County) received $248,000 (€204,000) for a feasibility study for a bioenergy plant and to produce a bioenergy feasibility tool.
“California recognises the leadership of Tribes in advancing strong clean air standards as well as ambitious climate energy goals,” said Christina Snider, Tribal Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom. “These grants provide opportunities to focus on new Tribal climate and energy planning activities.”
Karen Douglas, CEC Commissioner, commented: “The CEC is proud to provide funding to support Tribal climate leadership through this unique initiative.
“These tribally-driven projects will bring important search and technological gains while helping ensure all communities benefit from access to the state’s clean energy investments.”
