Pala Band of Mission Indians – 2017 Project

NOTE: Project pages are being updated regularly to reflect changes, if any; however, some of the information may be dated.

Summary

The Pala Band of Mission Indians will conduct a comprehensive analysis of its supply-side and demand-side energy options, including all sectors, activities, and lands within the Pala Reservation. The final product will be the Pala Energy Options Report and Implementation Plan, which will include a comprehensive energy options analysis and a detailed implementation plan that provides a roadmap to pursue the best options for the Tribe.

The Pala Band of Mission Indians’ Reservation is in northern San Diego County in California and consists of 918 tribal members. The Tribe has implemented several energy-related initiatives over the past decade including multiple solar photovoltaic projects and energy efficiency improvements, including a 94.8-kilowatt (kW) solar system installed on the Pala Fire Station with co-funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs.

The goal of this project is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the Pala Band of Mission Indians’ supply-side and demand-side energy options that covers all sectors, activities, and lands within the Pala Reservation. This analysis will result in an actionable plan that the Tribe can pursue to continue making progress in accomplishing the Pala Band’s long-term energy goals.

The Pala Energy Options Analysis Report and Implementation Plan will support the Tribe’s long-term energy goals by identifying cost-effective and/or revenue-generating energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy options for saving and producing energy. The project will also minimize environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Further, the Analysis and Implementation Plan will provide concrete steps and initiatives that will get the Tribe closer to achieving energy independence and self-reliance while simultaneously strengthening tribal sovereignty.

The primary objectives of this project are to: 1) identify energy resources/loads, 2) assess energy needs and production resources, 3) investigate and evaluate supply-side and demand-side energy options, and 4) select and prioritize options in an implementation plan.

The proposed effort is intended to enhance the Tribe’s understanding of its energy resources, energy loads, supply-side energy options, and demand-side energy options. The Tribe has goals to decrease energy consumption and costs, environmental impacts, and GHG emissions. Tribal goals also include increasing diversified revenue streams, using renewable energy in place of fossil fuel sources, using alternative vehicles and fuels, increasing jobs, achieving energy independence, and strengthening self-governance.

The proposed Energy Options Analysis and Implementation Plan will reveal and provide a clear pathway to achieving all of these goals.

The proposed Pala Energy Options Analysis will involve conducting a comprehensive energy analysis that includes: 1) identifying energy resources and loads, 2) gathering all available, relevant energy information and data, 3) forecasting and assessing current and future energy needs, energy production, and energy exports, 4) developing criteria to screen energy options, 5) conducting a thorough investigation and analysis of energy options, 6) applying the screening criteria to the identified energy options, and 7) preparing an Energy Options Report and Implementation Plan. The result will be the Pala Energy Options Report and Plan, which will provide a blueprint for the Tribe to pursue and implement energy options that are consistent with long-term energy goals. 

The Pala Band of Mission Indians’ Reservation is in northern San Diego County in California, roughly 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean and 53 miles north of downtown San Diego. The Pala Reservation is about 13,000 acres with about 900 residents, 600 of which are tribal members, living in 460 homes.

The project is complete. For additional details, see the final report.

The project was competitively selected under the Office of Indian Energy Fiscal Year 2016 funding opportunity announcement “First Steps Toward Developing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on Tribal Lands – 2016” (DE-FOA-0001621) and started in October 2017.

The November 2017 project status report provides more information.