Tribal energy organization wins worldwide recognition

BASEL, Switzerland - The Intertribal Council on Utility Policy was recognized on a world-class level for its work in the creation of a plan to offer clean, renewable energy to tribal reservations and improve economic conditions in Indian country.

The first-ever World Clean Energy Awards were presented June 15 to nine organizations representing countries from around the world. The awards were presented at the Faktor 4-Festival in Basel. Representatives attended from Abu Dhabi, China, India, Kenya, Sweden and the Rosebud and Lower Brule Sioux reservations.

ICOUP was given a Special Award for Courage for its work that established the first commercial wind power generation on any reservation with the 750-kilowatt turbine on Rosebud in addition to a plan that would create wind power energy for the western United States. The courage award recognized the ICOUP plan that would extend wind power to 3,000 megawatts from tribally owned power turbines on reservations across the northern Great Plains by 2015. The plan is referred to as Environmental justice Intertribal Wind Power.

''We are honored and humbled for selection by such a distinguished, juried panel of people who are knowledgeable in their field for sustainable development,'' said Pat Spears, president of ICOUP.

''It is good to be recognized for the feasibility of our project and now to be recognized that this is a viable plan,'' Spears said.

More than 75 tribes across the country have studied or are conducting studies on wind energy for the future development of wind energy.

''Along with being humbled and honored with the nomination, we are pleased to see a grass-roots tribal plan for renewable energy recognized at that world stage level,'' said Bob Gough, secretary of ICOUP.