The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, Maine, has been awarded nearly $7.5 million for phase one of a new distributed microgrid. The project was one of 34 selected last month to receive funds from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program.
Passamaquoddy Tribal membership is split between Indian Township and Pleasant Point, two reservation communities on Maine’s southeast coast. There are also members just across the border in New Brunswick, Canada.
The microgrid will serve those living in Indian Township.
The funds will be used to install solar systems, whole-home battery backups and load management technology on 202 single-family homes and two multi-family units, as well as develop grid-tied solar systems at the Tribal health center and government office.
"The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township is excited to begin with the implementation of solar energy within our boundaries and community. This will assist in alternative clean energy solutions and our environment," said Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township Chief Nicholas.
The microgrid will include more than 4,500 solar panels and 2,800 kWh of energy storage system capacity, producing nearly 2,000 MWh of renewable energy annually.
It is estimated that the microgrid will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6,600 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) between 2025 and 2030, and more than 31,000 metric tons by 2050.
"As we work to combat climate change and protect our communities from severe weather events, clean energy solutions like battery energy storage will be essential. This funding from the Environmental Protection Agency will ensure the Tribe has the tools and resources needed to unlock a clean energy future," said Senator Angus King (I-Maine).
Microgrids, renewable energy provide opportunities for Tribal communities
Like other Tribal communities, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township is looking to improve energy resilience and independence and reduce the cost of electricity to its 1,300 community members.
Some of the funds to create a workforce training and development program to provide energy-related job and career opportunities.
EPA awards grants to other Tribal microgrids
The EPA awarded $300 million in grants to 33 different Tribes and one U.S. territory as part of the CPRG program. Several other recipients will also use the grants to develop microgrids, among other types of emissions-reducing projects.
- The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians will develop new grid-tied residential solar installations and a commercial microgrid at the Tribal Recycling Center.
- The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will develop a solar microgrid and storage system at the Cherokee Boys Club school bus depot.
- The Hopi Utilities Corporation will install a 10-MW solar photovoltaic and 10-MWh battery electric storage system microgrid with 11.9 miles of electric power distribution on the Hopi Reservation, offsetting 100% of grid electricity usage.
- The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska will install a microgrid powered by renewable energy.
- The La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians will install solar systems with battery electric storage microgrids at essential Tribal buildings, the San Pasqual Band Horizon Fuel Center, and several hundred Tribal residences.
"The Tribal and territory leaders selected [by the CPRG program] will fund innovative projects that improve air quality, deliver cleaner, affordable electricity and create economic and workforce opportunities that can be scaled up and replicated across Tribal lands and U.S. territories," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
The 34 projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million metric tons CO2e by 2030 and seven million metric tons CO2e by 2050.
