- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Energy | Environment
A national nonprofit that helps tribal nations develop energy projects has selected a Seneca Nation-owned energy solutions firm as its first preferred provider.
The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy said it chose Seneca Environmental as the first supplier under its Preferred Provider Program, which connects tribes with energy developers and solutions providers that can support tribal projects.
The Alliance, which offers no-cost capacity-building support to tribal nations interested in pursuing energy projects, currently supports more than 75 tribes developing over 8 gigawatts of renewable energy, according to President and CEO Chéri Smith.
The Alliance vetted more than 120 renewable energy developers and service providers for the new Preferred Provider program, checking them for reliability and expertise, as well as cultural competence when it comes to working with tribal nations. Providers must prioritize tribal respect and cultural preservation, Smith said.
Seneca Environmental — one of a handful of tribally owned renewable energy development and services companies in the country —was a good fit for the program, Smith said.
“Seneca Environmental has consistently shown a dedication to building trusted relationships with tribes,” Smith said in a statement. “What sets them apart is their commitment to meeting tribes where they are and empowering them to drive decisions. This approach ensures that project prioritization and ownership models are closely aligned with the tribe's goals.”
Seneca Holdings CEO Jeffrey Ellis said he was honored that the tribe’s environmental firm was the first to receive the Alliance’s first preferred provider designation.
“In our work with Native communities across the nation, we are helping tribes develop projects that are aligned with their unique goals,” Ellis said. “We are also committed to building capacity across Indian Country so that Native communities can improve their economies and further their energy independence.”
