Seneca Environment has been selected as the first Preferred Provider for the Tribal Clean Energy Alliancean Indigenous-led nonprofit organization that provides cost-free capacity building support to tribal nations based on a strong foundation of Native American culture and values.
The Alliance advances Native American tribes’ self-determined efforts to transition to clean energy and currently supports more than 75 tribes with nearly 8 GW of clean energy under development. The Alliance’s critical work to propel a tribal movement for clean energy is supported by philanthropic partners including the Rockefeller Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation and many others.
Through its Preferred Provider Program, the Alliance addresses barriers to sustainable energy development on indigenous lands. At least 60 GW of untapped solar potential and at least 1 GW of wind potential exist on Indigenous lands, and unprecedented new federal legislation and initiatives have made billions of dollars in funding available for tribal renewable energy projects. However, many indigenous communities do not have the capacity to finance and build these projects, and finding reliable companies and partners for renewable energy development is a significant obstacle.
To bridge this gap, the Alliance acts as a liaison between renewable energy companies and indigenous communities. The Alliance Preferred Provider Program helps connect tribes with highly qualified, ethical renewable energy developers and service providers. To qualify for the Preferred Provider Program, providers must undergo a rigorous evaluation and cultural training process. Companies must be willing to prioritize traditional cultural preservation alongside renewable energy development.
“We are pleased to partner with Seneca Environmental, the first official Preferred Provider to successfully complete our vetting process,” said Chéri Smith, president and CEO of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. “Seneca Environmental has consistently demonstrated a commitment to building trusting relationships with tribes. With their strong technical expertise and ample capacity, they have proven that they can deliver results. What sets them apart is their commitment to meeting tribes where they are and empowering them to make decisions. This approach ensures that project prioritization and ownership models closely align with the tribe’s goals.”
The Preferred Provider program is a great fit for Seneca Environmental, the energy solutions division of Seneca Holdings LLC, wholly owned by the Seneca Nation. As one of the few tribally owned and operated renewable energy development and services companies in the country, Seneca Environmental is ideally positioned to work with Native communities in an equitable and respectful manner.
“Seneca Environmental is honored to be the first Preferred Provider at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, which plays a critical role in helping Native communities harness the power of renewable energy,” said Jeffrey Ellis, CEO of Seneca Holdings. “In our work with Native communities across the country, we help tribes develop projects that meet their unique goals. We are also committed to building capacity across Indian Country so that Indigenous communities can improve their economies and advance their energy independence.”
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