Skull Valley Goshute reservation goes solar
Tribe says "yes" to clean, modern electricity technology

The Skull Valley Goshute tribe in Utah, which once struggled against persistent attempts by a consortium of electric utilities intent on dumping nuclear waste on its land, is now going solar.

Less than a year after the Bureau of Indian Affairs concluded that the plan to build nuclear waste storage sites did not adequately address safety and health risks, the tribe is now planning to retrofit homes with innovative solar energy technology.

Honor the Earth, a national Native environmental advocacy group and foundation that focuses on energy issues, has developed a solar energy pilot project in conjunction with Solar Energy International and the Ohngo Gaudadeh Devia, a small volunteer group that fought the nuclear waste dumping.

“It’s time to look to a sustainable energy future that is built on developing the abundant and safe renewable resources that exist on Native lands,” said Honor the Earth executive director Winona LaDuke. “Native America should have wind and solar power, not coal mines and nuclear waste.”

The project has taken off this month with solar heating demonstrations and a certified solar training program. The net result will be the solar retrofitting of all tribal homes in three years.

“This is a chance to demonstrate what is right,” said LaDuke. “This collaborative solar project illustrates a new energy future for Utah, the Skull Valley Goshute community, and other indigenous peoples.”

Climate Justice Working Group brings all voices to the table
Group will focus on building the capacity of low income and minority communities

The effects of global warming will have a disproportionate impact on people of color and low income, communities that have not historically had their voices heard.

Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota's Climate Justice Working Group is working to give these communities opportunities and resources for making themselves heard. The Working Group serves people of color and low-income communities as a place to engage, network, and be empowered for self-advocacy around global warming impacts and the solutions that affect their communities.

This group is creating a community base and a plan that articulates global warming justice-related issues. Future work will include advocacy at the local and state level.

The Climate Justice Working Group comprises religious, academic, political, and community leaders. This working group is committed to making room for everyone at the table, regardless of race or income.

GET INVOLVED All are welcome to attend Working Group meetings. Next on the calendar: September 18 and October 16, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Minneapolis Urban League, 2100 Plymouth Avenue North, in Minneapolis.

Please contact Karen Monahan at 612-302-3100 with questions or ideas for making this group a success.

Please join us!

Fresh Energy members Gail Daneker and Ian Keith are hosting a party in their home on Thursday, October 25 to raise awareness and funds for Fresh Energy’s energy justice work. Please join us to make this event a success! For more information, please contact Sheila Bayle at bayle@fresh-energy.org or 651-726-7564.

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Fresh Energy works daily for smart energy policies and regulations that enhance our economies, protect human health and communities, restore our environment, and move us toward energy independence. www.fresh-energy.org