Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Environmental impacts from energy production and usage is an important issue for the Nez Perce
Tribe and the US. It is critical to become more conservation minded and use more energy efficient
technologies in Tribal facilities and homes to help address the problems associated with our energy
use.

Goals of the energy efficiency and conservation program:

ib Work with area energy suppliers to identify areas for improving energy efficiency in Tribal
facilities and homes.
ib Reduce energy use in Tribal buildings. (Replace lighting, heat ventilation and
cooling systems, add insulation and replacing windows as needed.)
ib Work with consultants to facilitate a comprehensive strategic energy plan with
leadership, tribal programs, and community members involved in the planning
process.
ib Assess renewable technologies to offset energy use and become more self
sufficient with our energy needs. Add solar technologies to Tribal facilities
ib Provide education and outreach to communities and resources on energy efficiency
and conservation opportunities.

Education and Outreach for Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Low and No Cost Energy Savings Tips

Putting energy saving tips to practice will save you money and allow you to save or spend money on other things which may be more important to you.

Click here to go to the Outreach Page

Renewable Energy

The United States currently relies heavily on coal, oil, and natural gas for its energy. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable, that is, they draw on finite resources that will eventually dwindle, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to retrieve. In contrast, renewable energy resources—such as wind and solar energy—are constantly replenished and will never run out.

Click here to learn more

Energy Group

In 2010 an energy committee was formed to guide the energy efficiency and energy development efforts for the Nez Perce Tribe. The committee consists of a diverse membership to ensure thorough planning, the members are: a Grants Coordinator, Economic Development Planner, Environmental Planner, Construction Manager, and Energy Technician.
The committee is newly formed and has not yet received formal acknowledgement by the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee (NPTEC), but is recognized informally by NPTEC and invited to energy related discussions concerning the Tribe. The energy committee represents the government side of the Nez Perce Tribe, therefore only works with not for profit projects for the Nez Perce Tribe.

If you have any questions, please contact:
Water Resources 208-843-7368

 

Ongoing Projects

Strategic Energy Planning

Having a strategic energy plan is critical to successful energy development to be able to envision where you want to end up and how you are going to get there. The goal of a strategic energy plan is to provide a roadmap to meet current and future energy needs in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable fashion. The steps taken in an energy plan depend on energy resource options, energy needs and forecasts, setting priorities and organizational structure (who is doing what).
A consultant will be facilitating the final draft and facilitating tribal leadership, tribal programs and tribal community input through surveys and community meetings. So, look for future surveys and events for providing input into the strategic energy planning process.

Waste to Energy Feasibility Study

The Nez Perce Tribe Energy Committee has selected TSS Consultants (TSS) to prepare a feasibility study for waste to energy projects on the Reservation. These projects would utilize sustainable and economically available waste sourced from the region located within and tributary to the Nez Perce Reservation. In addition these prospective projects would be scaled appropriately to meet electrical and thermal energy needs of select community buildings (e.g., tribal administration buildings), residents or other identified needs. Currently targeted locations for the waste to energy facilities include the communities of Lapwai, Orofino, Kamiah and Kooskia. However the targeted locations may be modified based on information from the energy load assessment (currently underway) and the site review/waste resource assessment tasks that will be completed as part of the feasibility study.
Historically the economy of the Tribe and surrounding region has been tied directly to forest products manufacturing, timber harvesting and agriculture. While forest biomass is included in the resource assessment, there are other potential feedstocks to consider including agricultural by products, tree trimmings, and municipal solid waste to name a few.

Specific goals for this feasibility study include:

b Provide cost effective electrical and thermal energy for Tribal communities.
b Waste utilization, as an alternative energy and/or transportation fuel opportunity.
b Tribal job creation and retention.
b Provide revenue to offset the cost of forest health restoration and fuels reduction.

Implementation Schedule

The feasibility study was completed mid-July 2012. TSS provided interim report documents and monthly progress reports during the six month study period.