Sustainability and Resilience

Text

Sustainability and Resilience

Since 2002 the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe has accelerated transition to a zero-carbon community, for its economic, environmental, health, and overall resilience benefits.

The Tribe takes a “lifeline sector” approach to achieving zero-carbon sustainability and resilience. Lifeline sectors include: energy, water, food, communication/IT, and transportation

Through local, regional, state, national, and public/private partnerships – and sound planning and policy that pairs climate mitigation and adaptation in decision-making – the Tribe is exceeding its goals.

Sustainability and Resilience Goals

  • Reduce and levelize operational costs (lifeline sector operations and infrastructure).
  • Create economic opportunity, including new jobs in the “decarbonized marketplace.”
  • Achieve zero net carbon emissions by 2030.

Resilience Spotlight – Energy Development Timeline

2006
Play Station 777 fuel station and convenience store built “solar ready”



2009
Blue Lake Hotel opens, achieves >17% reduction in energy use, a model of hotel energy efficiency



2011-2012
Community-wide energy efficiency upgrades completed



2013

  • The Tribal Utility Authority, BLR Department of
    Energy and Technologies, is formed
  • The Tribe begins developing distributed energy resources
    onsite
  • Tribal government fleet adds electric vehicles


2014

  • Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
    installed
  • Biodiesel manufacturing plant constructed


2015

  • Biodiesel manufacturing begins (using waste oil from Tribe’s kitchens to fuel public transit buses)
  • Low-carbon, community microgrid project launched
    • 0.5MW solar PV; 1MWh battery storage
    • Powers 6-building campus – government offices, economic enterprises, lifeline sector infrastructure
    • Provides emergency power to certified American Red Cross shelter
    • Achieves significant cost savings and greenhouse gas reductions


2017

  • Low-carbon, community microgrid is complete
  • The Tribe achieves ~$200,000 annual energy
    savings
  • The Tribe increases employment by 10% with new clean
    energy and technology jobs


2018

  • Tribe’s goal of 40% carbon emission reductions is achieved
  • A second low-carbon, facility microgrid at the Play Station 777 fuel station and convenience store is launched
    • Uses the “solar ready” canopy and other infrastructure (from 2006)
    • 60kW solar PV, 169kWh battery storage, advanced building controls; islanding controls
    • Replicable “resilience package” for small commercial buildings


2019

  • Add 1MWh battery storage to community microgrid
  • Commission fuel station and convenience store “resilience package” microgrid
  • Continue ongoing energy efficiency upgrades
  • Add solar power to community microgrid
  • Launch the Toma Resilience Campus
    • Resilience facility and activities, using microgrids as learning laboratories


2020-2021

  • Complete Toma Resilience Campus
  • Continue zero carbon resilience and economic
    projects


2022-2030
Continue efficiency and energy lifeline sector resilience work



2030
The Tribe achieves net zero carbon emissions


Sustainability and Resilience Partnerships

The Tribe’s sustainability and resilience projects would not be possible without partners.

Here is an illustrative list of entities who have contributed and collaborated with the Tribe across a range of sustainability and resilience projects, programs, and innovations.

The Tribe is grateful for these partnerships, and the accomplishments achieved together.

Illustrative Partners

Select Recognition for Sustainability and Resilience

2018
Project of the Year for DER IntegrationPOWERGRID International and DistribuTECH



2017

2015-2016
Climate Action Champion” White House and U.S. Department of Energy


Tribal Seal

BLR Tribal
Government Office:


TEL: 707.668.5101
FAX: 707.668.4272
EMAIL: info@
bluelakerancheria-nsn.gov

MAILING ADDRESS
(for U.S. Postal Service):

Blue Lake Rancheria
PO BOX 428
Blue Lake, CA 95525

OFFICE LOCATION &
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
(for FedEx, UPS):

Blue Lake Rancheria
1 Aiyekwee Loop
Blue Lake, CA 95525