Energy Efficiency and Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the Northern Cheyenne Tribe Reservation

Northern Cheyenne Tribe Reservation, Montana

Federal Funding: $200,000
Project Timeline: February 2010 – December 2012

Project Summary
Community Characteristics
Program Results/Estimated Results
Media Coverage
Photos

Project Summary

Demonstrating Energy Efficiency Leadership on a Central Community Building

The Northern Cheyenne Tribe completed the energy audit for the Tribal Environmental Protection Department (EPD) office and hired High Plains Architects to conduct a feasibility study of further upgrades to maximize greenhouse gas reductions. The High Plains Architects will consider greater insulation to the roof and exterior walls, and energy efficient windows, with the ultimate goal of attaining LEED certification. In addition, the Northern Cheyenne EPD has moved forward with the green jobs training component of the project at Dull Knife Community College. The Solar Air Heater Training provided 80 hours of training to 16 students and community members, where they learned how to construct and install small-scale solar air heaters on ten homes in the community. Upcoming plans to increase community awareness include sharing energy saving measures and having an EPD open house in December 2011.

The Tribal Environmental Protection Department Office on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation is the new home for tribal environmental staff. It is also one of the most energy-inefficient buildings on the Reservation, making it a priority for energy efficiency retrofits and green power. To reduce the North Cheyenne Tribe’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Environment Department has partnered with the National Wildlife Federation to turn this building into an energy-efficiency demonstration and training project.

To achieve its primary goal of reducing the Tribe's GHG emissions, the Tribal Environmental Department will update a previous energy audit to fully account for building maintenance activities and use this audit to plan energy efficiency retrofits and green power projects. Recommendations from the previous audit identified solar panels, on-demand water heaters, and insulation upgrades as potential measures.

Contractors will implement these retrofits and green power projects with support from tribal college students and community members. A training program will cover three sessions on energy audits, energy efficiency, and small scale renewable energy. Participants will conduct audits and participate in retrofits of the Tribal Environmental Protection Department Office as part of a field training component.

The benefits of the project include costs savings from energy efficiency improvements, reductions in the tribe's GHG emissions, and improved employment opportunities for students and community members. By promoting the project as a replicable model, the Tribe is seeking to expand the project to other buildings on the reservation, and share lessons learned with other communities. To implement the program, they will also develop partnerships with multiple stakeholder groups, including the Intertribal Council on Utility Policy, Greenweaver Inc., Lakota Solar Enterprises, Tongue River Electric Cooperative, and Montana State University Extension. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe has a strong cultural and historical connection to the land, wildlife, and waters on the Reservation, and this project is a vital opportunity for the Tribe to align its energy needs and use with its ecological and cultural values.

Community Characteristics

Population:	4,000
Area:	318 square miles
Government Type:	Tribal
Community Type:	Rural
Median Household Income:	$23,679

Program Results/Estimated Results

Expected GHG Emissions Reductions:	30 metric tons CO₂e annually
Expected Participant Training:	20
Planned Community Workshops:	3
Example Project:	Roof solar panels