Oceti Sakowin Solve Fellowship
Energy Efficiency and Solar for Tribal Buildings at Standing Rock
Bringing energy efficiency and solar power to Standing Rock buildings
Solution Summary
There are eight districts in the Lakota community. Each one has two to five government-owned buildings that consume large amounts of electricity. North Dakota currently receives 70 percent of its electricity from coal, one of the most carbon-intensive and hence climate-warming fuels. Meanwhile, the cost of power to Standing Rock citizens is 33 percent higher than it is in Bismarck, just one hour away.
This project proposes a massive overhaul of energy infrastructure in government-controlled buildings at Standing Rock. By leveraging energy efficient technology and photovoltaics, these eight districts stand to save millions of dollars over the coming decades—and make a powerful statement about the need to shift towards renewable energy.
Market Opportunity
North Dakota has almost no solar energy; it is dead last among the 50 states in solar development. Standing Rock can help lead the transformation to renewable energy.
The funds saved from efficient energy infrastructure would be used for other reservation programs, exponentially improving the lives of community members across districts.
Highlights
Completed energy assessments for half of the districts
Produced an informational video garnering 250,000 views
Collected 7,000 petitions signatures in a bid to encourage North and South Dakota to pass a renewable portfolio standard (RPS)
Finalist for the MIT Media Lab Disobedience Award
Organization Goals
Retrofit as many of the main municipal buildings in the eights districts as possible over the next 12 months
Create ongoing public education, organizing, and economic opportunity for the 10,000 people of the Standing Rock community
Existing Partnerships
Super Green Solutions
Lakota People’s Law Project
Partnership Goals
Grant funding and investment
Media exposure
Technology mentorship
Networking connections
Fellow Team
Organization Type:
Nonprofit
Headquarters:
Fort Yates, ND, USA
Project Stage:
Pilot
Working in:
USA
Team Members:
4
Solution Team:
-
Phyllis Young Standing Rock Lakota Activist
Energy Efficiency & Solar for Standing Rock
Fellow Energy Efficiency and Solar for Tribal Buildings at Standing Rock, which brings energy efficiency and solar power to Standing Rock buildings, received a $10,000 grant from Solve in 2018 for being selected as an Indigenous Communities Fellow.
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