By Vernon Robison
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Band of Paiutes received approval last week from federal officials on a proposal to build a solar power generating plant on the Moapa Indian Reservation. The approval paves the way for the nation’s first commercial-grade solar energy facility operating on tribal lands.
On Thursday, June 21, U.S. Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar signed off on a plan that will construct and begin operations on a 350 mega-watt solar plant said to be capable of powering 100,000 homes when the sun is shining over the reservation.
“This trailblazing project is part of the President’s commitment to help build strong, sustainable tribal communities by supporting safe and responsible renewable energy development,” Salazar said in a written statement last week. “Tribal lands hold great renewable energy potential, and smart development of these resources has the power to strengthen tribal economies, create jobs and generate clean electricity for communities across Indian Country.”
The solar facility, proposed by K Road Moapa Solar LLC, will include 2,153 acres of land about one mile north, across Interstate 15, from the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza off exit 75; about 20 miles south of Moapa Valley. The project will require 5.5 miles of power transmission lines to tie into the electric grid at Crystal Substation and a 1 mile long water pipeline to supply operational water from an existing well.
The proposed solar plant will use hundreds of photovoltaic cells that directly convert sunlight into electricity.
A 12- kilovolt transmission line will also be built and hooked into the existing Moapa Travel Plaza after Phase 1 of the construction project is complete. This will connect the Travel Plaza to the solar power plant in order to provide adequate power to run the tribe’s facility during daylight hours; and connect it to the electrical grid enabling the facility to run after sundown as well. This will reduce the tribe’s dependence on a diesel-powered generator that currently provides power to the Plaza.
Construction on the project is expected to begin this fall. Officials say that the project will generate about 400 jobs at peak construction and 15-20 permanent jobs.
“This is a great day for the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, and for Indian Country as a whole,” said Donald “Del” Laverdure, Acting Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in a written statement. “As our nation’s energy portfolio continues to grow, it is important that tribal communities have the opportunity to harness the energy of the wind and sun in a way that can power our homes, businesses and economies”
Moapa Band tribal leaders were pleased with last week’s news.
“Everyone is extremely excited, hopeful and jazzed about the future of this project,” said Yvette Chevalier, Moapa Band of Paiutes Tribal Administrator and Legal Advisor. “It creates financial and educational opportunities for the Moapa Band of Paiutes and gives us the ability to use tribal lands for good, healthy economic development. This is an exemplary demonstration project for the community and for other tribes considering large scale solar projects.”
