Northern Arizona University's partnerships with tribes for renewable energy Development

Native American tribes nationwide face dual challenges in economic and energy development. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 15% of U.S. power could be generated as renewable energy on Native American land. Northern Arizona University (NAU) is actively engaged in supporting tribally-driven Native American renewable energy development initiatives. For the last decade, NAU's Sustainable Energy Solutions Group and Center for American Indian Economic Development have worked with regional tribes on the development of business planning templates and workshops for building renewable energy small businesses focused on systems to power remote homes, schools, businesses and government buildings. In 2010, NAU's Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) supported by tribal leaders, began development of the Tribal Clean Energy Resource Center (TCERC), which recently received the endorsement of the National Congress of American Indians. The TCERC will respond to tribes' requests and offer several services including: technical assistance with renewable energy project development, financing and business development, policy analysis, workforce development, internships and assistance with energy efficiency planning and implementation. Building on ITEP's successful 20 year model (which has offered professional development and technical services to tribes nationwide), TCERC will build energy champions throughout Indian Country by training the current audience (which includes the professional environmental staff) to be cognizant and educated on energy issues. These trainings will increase internal capacity to manage tribes' sustainable energy futures. Recently, NAU (led by the Office of the Vice President for Research) and regional tribes developed the Four Corners Sustainable Futures initiative, focusing in large part on research and projects to accelerate the development of renewable energy businesses and installations in the region. A number of these projects are moving forward with technical and fundraising support from NAU.