Are Native Americans interested in pursuing alternative energy? If so, what are the reasons for it, and how do they wish to proceed? Preliminary results from a survey on Native American energy cast light on these questions and provide fodder for discussions of federal energy policy toward Native Americans.

The survey of 40 tribes and Native villages in all geographic regions of the United States was developed by NAREEP, with assistance from U.C. Berkeley’s Survey Research Center. In fall 1996, the 18-page self-administered survey was distributed to tribal representatives in economic planning and natural resource offices, and followed up via telephone by NAREEP. The questions address such subjects as what energy-related problems are found on reservations, what alternative energy strategies have been pursued or considered by tribes, and how tribes view their interactions with the utility companies that provide energy services to their reservations.

"Our main reason for conducting the survey," says NAREEP Director Jim Williams, "was to understand how tribes perceive their own energy needs. We wanted to hear the tribes’ views directly, not outsiders purporting to speak for them." Response to the survey has been "quite good," according to Williams. By early January 1997, the survey had been completed by more than half of the forty tribes. The preliminary results indicate some very interesting patterns.

More than three-quarters of those responding said that energy was an important problem on their reservations; nearly half said that it was "among the most important problems" faced by their tribe. The most significant energy problems reported were poorly insulated buildings (76%), lack of public transportation (71%), and the high cost of fuel or electricity (65%). The most common impact of energy problems on tribes was "financial hardship" (94%), followed by "reduced quality of life" (88%). Nearly half said that energy problems were felt most severely by older tribal members and those on fixed incomes.

Several questions touched on the kinds of energy services tribes receive. About one-quarter of the tribes responding said that at least some households on their reservation lacked electricity. Three-fifths said that their reservations were not served by utility company natural gas lines; the most common alternative forms of energy for heating and cooking were propane and wood. This helps to explain another result, that the most common form of renewable energy currently used on reservations is biomass (53%), a category that includes firewood. Several respondents mentioned in the comment section that wood-burning stoves contribute to respiratory problems in their communities.

When asked about the relations with utility companies, two-thirds of the respondents reported that their tribe is dissatisfied with the degree of control it has over utility services. The same proportion reported that their tribe is considering forming their own energy utility. About one-third of those considering utility formation were actively pursuing it at the present time. The main reasons cited were reduction of rates, revenue for the tribe, and control over services. Among those tribes not considering the formation of their own utilities, the most important barriers mentioned were a lack of finances and the fact that the tribe had higher priorities in other areas.

In terms of energy choices facing their tribes, the respondents rated as very important the development of renewable energy for use on the reservation (70%), carrying out energy conservation programs (65%), and the development of renewable energy for sale outside the reservation (60%). By contrast, a much smaller number rated as very important the development of fossil fuels for use on the reservation (15%) or for sale off the reservation (10%).

Among the alternative energy options, all respondents said that their tribe was either very interested or somewhat interested in energy efficiency (100%). The other leading alternatives mentioned were solar water heating (83%), solar electricity (72%), and wind-generated electricity (68%). Relatively few respondents said their tribes were interested in biomass electricity (25%) or geothermal electricity (10%). When asked why their tribes might pursue alternative energy, respondents said that major reasons were creating income for the tribe (83%), providing jobs (78%), and compatibility of the energy source with the natural environment (78%). Convenience and cost-effectiveness were generally not seen as major reasons for pursuing alternative energy.

When asked what kinds of assistance would be useful to their tribes in developing energy efficiency or renewable energy projects, respondents described as "very useful" assistance in obtaining financing (85%), training of tribal members (85%), and technical assistance (75%). In contrast, legal advice and assistance in filling out forms were considered very useful by only about a third of those responding. Regarding how tribes can obtain information about alternative energy, the emphasis was on workshops and training for tribal leaders and staff (60%) and scholarships for tribal members to receive higher education in energy-related fields (60%). The latter point was highlighted when respondents stated what source tribes would prefer to receive information from. "Trained tribal member" was the most common positive response, followed by tribal colleges, major universities, and national laboratories. The least preferred sources were utility companies and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

NAREEP’s Jim Williams cautions that these results are still preliminary, and may not be representative of all tribes. Nonetheless, they provide information that has not been previously available. "The comments are especially revealing," says Williams. "That’s where the individuality of each Native American community comes through. For one tribe, the real ‘energy problem’ is having to drive too far to get to a store, so that transportation costs are exorbitant. For another, it’s the particulates from wood stoves that are endangering the health of children and elders. For others, it’s waiting to take over a hydroelectric dam that sits on the reservation but provides no power to the tribe, or it’s the pollution from a mine or power plant on the other side of the reservation boundary. The comments show why the solutions to tribal energy problems must be as individual as the tribes themselves." Among the comments received were the following:

• "We pay the highest utility rates in the state. Poor designs do not incorporate energy efficiency or natural phenomena to cool and heat homes."

• "Missouri River tribes were guaranteed energy through the Pick-Sloan Act, low-cost energy that was never delivered. High costs place a financial hardship on all residents. Poorly insulated houses affect health and reduce quality of life."

• "Low wages do not correlate with the high energy costs and people are left with less money to sustain themselves in other areas."

• "For most, tribal control of energy resources will enhance sovereignty."

• "Having better access to water for many families is probably more important than worries about energy. However, many are probably not familiar with the dangers of wood/coal burning side effects."

• "Last year we implemented an energy efficiency program where the energy coordinator went door to door to assist people in making energy efficiency improvements."

• "Cultural compatibility is a good reason but not that important. Renewable energy in terms of solar and wind would be very beneficial and even adopted by [our tribe] in remote areas, but current costs are prohibitive. In comparison, cellular telephone is picked up on [our reservation] due to reduced costs and practicability and usefulness."

• "Unfortunately most tribal leaders are not that enthusiastic about some of these topics. While many people want training, tribal leaders basically don’t give a damn."

• "Direct money to tribe for our fair share. We can manage the program better. We know our needs."

• "Our local utility co-op is one of the leaders in the anti-tribal sovereignty movement."

• "Tribes need quick, clear, concise solutions to their renewable energy needs and they know this only works when combined with other self-sufficient and energy conserving home building methods."