HomeMy WebLinkAboutyritwc resolutionp14e Ate
Yulcon Kiver Inter -Tribal WaterAed Council
RESOLUTION FOR THE YUKON RIVER INTER -TRIBAL WATERSHED
COUNCIL TO PURSUE FUNDING FROM ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY
RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND FOR HYDROKINETIC TURBINE IN RUBY
WHEREAS, the Yukon River Inter -Tribal Watershed Council (YRITWC) is a coalition
of 66 Tribal and First Nation governments in the United States and Canada that have
unique interests and enforceable rights and have agreed to cooperate in protecting the
environmental integrity and health of the Yukon River and all its inhabitants; and
WHEREAS, the Indigenous Governments within the Yukon River watershed have
directed the YRITWC to more fully develop a renewable energy program for the use and
benefit of the Tribes and First Nations within the watershed; and
WHEREAS, energy prices, especially in the communities off the main road system and
the inter -connected electrical Railbelt, are extremely high and pose a threat to the
ongoing existence of the communities within the watershed; and
WHEREAS, the YRITWC's Energy Department, in partnership with the Ruby Tribal
Council and the City and electric utility in Ruby, have successfully installed the first in -
stream hydrokinetic turbine for electricity in the United States; and
WHEREAS, this project is a role model for future clean energy production throughout
the watershed and beyond; and
WHEREAS, the YRITWC Executive Committee is authorized by the full YRITWC
Board to make organizational decisions such as pursuit of specific projects and funding
opportunities;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the YRITWC Executive Committee
directs YRITWC staff to pursue the Alaska Energy Authority Renewable Energy Fund
grant opportunity to enhance and expand the hydrokinetic turbine in Ruby; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if funded, the YRITWC make all power
production and related data collected under this project available to all Tribes that support
this effort; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the YRITWC authorizes $7,500 of in -kind labor
to contribute to this project; and