Wiyot Tribe

Wiyot Tribe Hilhuk Kunuvuk Renewable Energy Project Tua Phase I Project Abstract Summary Funding Opportunity Number: TEMP-24287 Cfda(s): 15.148 Applicant Name: Wiyot Tribe Descriptive Title of Applicants Project: Hilhuk Kunuvuk Renewable Energy Project Tua Phase I Project Abstract Summary: the Wiyot Tribe (the Tribe) in Loleta, Ca Seeks Tedc Funding to Conduct a Study for the Development of a Tribal Utility Authority (tua). the Tua Will Be the Tribal Entity Charged With Distributing and Managing Tribal Energy and Utilities Under the Governance of the Tua. the Tribe Is Motivated to Establish Its Own Tua to Reduce Energy Costs for Its 367 Tribal Members, Align the Tribes Energy Use and Production With Tribal Values by Exploring Sustainable Energy Sources, and Improve Resilience in Times of Blackouts Caused by Natural Disasters and Manmade Events. the Tribe Believes a Tua Would Allow the Tribe to Take More Control of Their Resources, Improve the Tribes Economic Situation, and Increase Tribal Sovereignty, While Also Best Serving Our Tribal Members With Reliable and Cost-effective Energy. the Proposed Project Will Enable the Tribe to Draft Environmental Policies, Laws, and Regulations and Fill Any Capacity Gaps Identified During the Feasibility Study. With New Policies Laws Regulations and Capacity Gaps Met, the Tribe Can Govern Future Energy Development, Including the Generation and Export or Import of Electricity. Developing Capacity Will Help Ensure That All Future Energy and Resource Projects Are Reviewed for Potential Harm to the Tribes Natural, Cultural, Social, and Economic Resource Base and Will Move the Tribe Toward Sustainable Energy That Will Better Align With Wiyot Values. by Ensuring That the Tribe Establishes a Tua to the Maximum Economic Benefit of the Community, Wiyot Expects to Be Able to Foster Sustainable Energy, Lower Utility Costs for Tribal Members, and Create More Reliable Energy With Fewer Disruptive Blackouts. a Tua Will Increase the Resiliency of the Grid, and by Extension, the Community, by Ensuring That the Tribe Has Reliable Electrical Service Through Major Storms and Weather Events That Currently Lead to Outages Across the Reservations. Through the Establishment of a Tua, Wiyot Anticipates Savings on Energy Expenditures, Sustainable Job Growth, and Improved Emergency Management. the Proposed Feasibility Study Will Be Performed in Four Phases. the Initial Step Will Be to Assess the Current State of Infrastructure and Electric Utility Services. the Second Step Will Be to Develop a Vision of the Tua. This Includes Incorporating Key Technology Trends and Industry Best Practices as Guiding Principles and a Pro Forma Financial Model Development. the Third Step Involves Developing a Defined Roadmap for the Tribe to Use as a Tool to Build the Systems Necessary for Delivery Utility Services, Specifically the Development and Delivery of Services Using Sustainable Energy Sources. the Third Step Will Also Analyze How External Market Conditions Could Affect the Long-term Value Proposition of the Tribes Participation in a Tribal Utility. Lastly, Conclusions, Recommendations, and a Project Implementation Approach Will Be Created. This Will Serve as an Effective Roadmap for Moving Forward With a Tua With Achievable Quarterly Objectives That the Tribe Can Implement.