Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Purchase Wind Turbines to Power Reservation
The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes will be the first nation to own its towers and turbines to harness wind energy.
Undergoing installation by the tribes’ partner West Wind Energy of Otis, Kansas, the wind turbines will directly power the Oklahoma reservation, casino and headquarters, with the goal of offsetting fossil fuel power and replacing it with wind power, stated the tribes’ press release.
“We believe the wind is sacred,” said Janice Prairie Chief-Boswell, who is operating as governor out of the the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal headquarters. “We are the Keepers of this Earth, so bringing the power of wind to our people is key to our survival and a part of honoring our divine instructions.”
The tribe anticipates the wind turbine will translate into an estimated $9.2 million in savings for the tribes over the next decade. The wind project will also provide training and create skilled labor jobs. Partially funded by the Tribal Employment Rights Office and Department of Education grants, the project will potentially provide training for 12 professionals on all aspects from installation to maintenance.
“This project will bring both jobs and training to Cheyenne & Arapaho members,” said Chester Whiteman, director of Economic Development. ”This will further stimulate the tribal economy all while decreasing costs of fossil fuels.”
By end of the year, the tribes expected to have 22 wind turbines, which will serve as the primary power source for powering Lucky Star Casino and other key tribal operations, noted the release.
“Not only does it offset the tribes current electrical cost of more than $200,000 a month, but it does so while getting kids into wind school and technical training for long-term and well-paying technical jobs, not only for the tribes wind project, but tribal members being able to service turbines all over the state of Oklahoma,” said A.J. McCann, West Wind Energy CFO.
The release states that future plans include applying for a federal grant to establish a wind turbine manufacturing plant on the Cheyenne and Arapaho land. “West Wind Energy’s expansion into Oklahoma and developing these professionals will be key in both organizations future success and expansion into Oklahoma’s untapped wind market,” said Scott Brantley, West Wind Energy CEO.
