Summary
It is the goal of the Cherokee Nation to have profitable enterprises so that the tribe can become self-sufficient. The Cherokee Nation will perform a wind energy feasibility study on land owned by the tribe in Kay County, north-central Oklahoma. This land consists of two tracts of fee and trust land totaling approximately 4,275 acres. The land is presently leased for grazing.
Project Description
It is the goal of Cherokee Nation to have profitable enterprises to allow the Tribe to become self-sufficient. The profits from our enterprises are distributed into programs that benefit all Tribal members of the Tribe, through: education, health, social services, community development, and housing. Cherokee Nation will perform a wind energy feasibility study on land owned by the Tribe in Kay County (north-central) Oklahoma. This land consists of two tracts of fee and trust land totaling approximately 4,275 acres. This land is presently leased for grazing.
Research indicates that wind and other renewable energy sources are popular with our members. It appears that the country is shifting away from fossil- energy toward alternative and renewable energy. Cherokee Nation has identified wind energy as an economic development opportunity compatible with our goals.
Background
Cherokee Nation, the second largest tribe in the United States, is a federally recognized Indian Tribe with a membership of 239,333. Almost 98,000 of these Cherokees reside in the 7,000 square mile area of Cherokee Nation, a jurisdictional service area that includes all of eight counties (Cherokee, Adair, Sequoyah, Delaware, Rogers, Washington, Craig, and Nowata) and portions of seven counties (Tulsa, Mayes, Muskogee, Ottawa, McIntosh, Kay, and Wagoner) in Oklahoma. Cherokee Nation is a leader in education, housing, vocational training, business and economic development.
As a federally recognized Indian tribe, Cherokee Nation has both the opportunity and the sovereign right to exercise control and development over tribal assets, which includes 66,000 acres of land, as well as 96 miles of the Arkansas Riverbed. The Constitution of Cherokee Nation was ratified in 1975 by the majority of voting members and approved by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
It is the goal of Cherokee Nation to have profitable enterprises to allow the Tribe to become self-sufficient. The profits from our enterprises are distributed into programs that benefit all Tribal members of the Tribe through services in education, health, community development, housing, and social services.
Scope and Approach
The Tribe will conduct the feasibility study on its property in Kay County (north-central) Oklahoma. The SODAR System requires one acre for testing, and will be installed on the northeast portion of the 1,641 acre tract. Feasibility study activities will include:
Site designation
Assessment of Wind Monitoring Technology
Purchase and installation of a SODAR system to measure winds
Collection of meteorological data
Preliminary transmission and interconnection study
Utilize meteorological data and existing research to determine short-term and long-term options.
Estimate power output of various wind turbine models based on site conditions
Determine short-term and long-term economic effects and benefits.
Conduct environmental and cultural impact assessments.
Report to Tribal leaders and to DOE
Project Location
The SODAR system will be placed on a tract of mostly treeless grazing land in Kay County (north-central) Oklahoma. This land consists of two tracts of fee and trust land totaling approximately 4,275 acres.
The elevations are between 1,140 feet and 1,190 feet, with some areas of the land being slightly higher. Some maps are currently available showing elevations, roads, and surrounding tribal ownership. Aerial photos showing land use, watersheds, etc. are also available. The wind map indicates Class 3 wind power density, with transmission lines along, or near, Hwy 77.
Project Status
This project is complete. For details, read the final report.
The project was competitively selected under the Tribal Energy Program's FY 2002 solicitation, "Renewable Energy Development on Tribal Lands," and started May 2003. The November 2003, October 2004, October 2005, October 2006, and November 2007 status updates provide more information.
For additional information, contact one of the project contacts.
Project Contact
David Stewart, President and CEO
Cherokee Nation Enterprises
Catoosa Executive Offices
P.O. Box 515
1102B, N 192 East Ave.
Catoosa, OK 74015-0515
Phone: (918) 384-7805
Fax: (918) 266-8181
Email: david.stewart@cnent.com
Lynn Ousley, Project Administrator
Cherokee Nation Enterprises
Catoosa Executive Offices
P.O. Box 515
1102B, N 192 East Ave.
Catoosa, OK 74015-0515
Phone: (918) 384-7876
Fax: (918) 266-8181
Email: lynn.ousley@cnent.com
Carol Wyatt, Executive Administrative Assistant
Cherokee Nation Enterprises
Catoosa Executive Offices
P.O. Box 515
1102B, N 192 East Ave.
Catoosa, OK 74015-0515
Phone: (918) 261-1279
Fax: (918) 266-8181
Email: carol.wyatt@cnent.com
<p><strong>Tribe/Awardee</strong><br />Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC.</p><p><strong>Location</strong><br />Catoosa, OK</p><p><strong>Project Title</strong><br />Feasibility Study for Wind Generation on the Cherokee Nation</p><p><strong>Type of Application</strong><br />Feasibility</p><p><strong>DOE Grant Number</strong><br />DE-FC36-03GO13022</p><p><strong>Project Amounts</strong><br />DOE: $166,179<br />Awardee: $2,469<br />Total: $168,648</p><p><strong>Project Status</strong><br />Complete</p><p><strong>Project Period of Performance</strong><br />Start: May 2003<br />End: January 2005</p>