Hello, dear solar enthusiasts! Today, I’m here to enlighten you on a recent monumental step taken in our clean energy field, which involved the transition from traditional hydroelectric dams to an extensive clean solar array for homes, and more broadly – entire communities. An initiative is being launched to promote tribally sponsored renewable energy projects, most notably, solar arrays.
Engaging in an agreement with the U.S. Government, the states of Washington and Oregon, along with four Native American tribes will facilitate the roll-out of an ambitious project that aims to produce 1 GW to 3 GW of clean energy capacity. What’s incredible is that this proposal began from a joint vision of the tribes and the two states, demonstrating the power of individual vision and collective action aimed at bettering our environment.
The centerpiece of this agreement? Breaching four dams on the lower Snake River, a strategic move that aims to restore the native fish population that have seen a significant dwindling due to the presence of such hydroelectric dams. The proposal essentially envisions to replace these dams with renewable generation, such as solar panels and wind turbines, enabling us to meet the same energy demand in a far more sustainable manner.
As we dive deeper into the specifics, the U.S. Department of Energy is preparing to offer technical assistance and funding to these tribes with a focus on renewable projects, be it from the perspective of ownership, leasing, or power procurement. These solar companies, guided by the tribes, will be at the forefront of the clean energy movement, truly transforming how we power our homes and communities.
The four tribal nations under this agreement are the Yakama Nation, the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and the Nez Perce Tribe, all bound by their love for the environment and a commitment to sustain it. Working with the U.S. Department of Energy, they are set to pave the way for a revolution within the regional energy needs planning process.
Boosting the support for this agreement, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory along with several other DOE labs are being funded in order to expedite this process and achieve the set objectives of the proposal.
This collaboration is a perfect example of how bold individual initiatives can come together to form grand movements. The commitment would not only facilitate the restoration of native fish populations but also provide a boost to the solar company business while serving as a benchmark in the endeavour of providing effective solar panels for your home.
Constantly evolving organizations like the Bonneville Power Administration are working tirelessly to reform their interconnection processes, significantly speeding up the way we switch over to renewable sources of energy. This, paired with efficient use of existing transmission, is setting us on the fast track towards a clean, sustainable, future.
In essence, this revolutionary agreement goes beyond merely boosting the popularity of solar companies. It is a holistic plan addressing climate change, the extinction of endangered species, and the financial considerations of embracing renewable energy.
By prioritizing the use of renewable energy resources – solar panels for your homes, wind turbines, and energy-efficient systems, we are securing a sustainable environment for our future. As the executive director of the NW Energy Coalition, Nancy Hirsh, pointedly remarked, “no one is saying these replacement energy services are free, but the cost of maintaining the lower Snake River dams is substantial and managing salmon to extinction is unacceptable.” This is something we all need to understand and strive towards – a greener, solar-powered future.
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/01/29/tribes-to-sponsor-1-to-3-gw-of-renewables-to-help-retire-dams-and-restore-salmon/
