The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, in collaboration with the California Energy Commission (CEC), held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new solar and storage microgrid project at the Rolling Hills Casino & Resort. The endeavor is funded by a $32 million grant from the CEC.
Tribal Chairman Andrew “Dru” Alejandre said: “We are grateful to partner with the CEC and host this grant for this renewable energy project. Our people have always cared for the land as it has cared for us.
“We continue to understand our responsibilities as people and will continue to adapt to modern ways for many generations. We are responsible for preserving our environment for future generations. This project will allow us to provide sustainable energy and most importantly increase energy sovereignty.”
In addition to new means for energy production, the project is expected to provide enhanced energy sovereignty, sustainability, and self-reliance for the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians. By leveraging renewable energy sources, the tribe aims to reduce dependencies and forge a sustainable economy for future generations.
“The CEC is honored to partner with the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians to scale innovative long-duration energy storage technologies that will add to the reliability of the electricity grid and make the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians and California more energy secure,” said David Hochschild, CEC Chair.
The microgrid project will enhance energy resiliency and reduce CO2 emissions by installing 5 MW of solar panels and 15 MWh battery energy storage systems, according to a press release. This seeks to ensure a steady and reliable clean power source, significantly reducing the Paskenta Nomlaki Tribe’s community’s carbon footprint.
“We are excited to partner with the CEC to break ground for this solar project,” said Damon Safranek, CEO of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians. “Our tribe has prioritized energy planning since 2017, and this project will help the Paskenta Tribe reach its energy goals.”
