Improving Energy Sustainability for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) Reservation

Abstract

Recognizing that the pervasive use of nonrenewable energy sources negatively impacts the development of symbiotic relationships with surrounding ecosystems, the goal of our project was to assist the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) Tribal Government in the development of an energy sustainability plan for the LTBB reservation. Four main objectives and project components were defined. The first objective focused on an energy efficiency assessment and optimization analysis of potential energy savings from alternative pathways for reducing energy consumption of the three main tribal government buildings relative to a 2012 baseline; second a spatial analysis of renewable wind and solar energy potentials on the LTBB reservation was developed; third, a financial feasibility assessment of energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy projects was carried out; and finally, current tribal energy sustainability policies and possible energy policy instruments were examined. These analyses led to the following key recommendations: to upgrade light bulbs and various fixtures for the main three government buildings; to conduct a professional energy audit; to develop a detailed plan for the implementation of solar energy projects; to update present energy policy to embody robust renewable energy and energy efficiency standards; and to investigate the potential creation and implementation of a clean energy law.