Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center breaks ground

In November 2007, the new Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center (RCREC) broke ground on the Pine Ridge Lakota reservation in southwestern South Dakota. This Center is the next step in TWP's on-going committment to bringing renewable energy choices to Native Americans living on reservations in the American West.

As we've conducted renewable energy workshops with tribes across the Great Plains, we've discovered that there's considerable interest among tribal organizations to learn more, and to learn how to implement solutions in their own communities. Our Tribal Lands Renewable Energy Program now operates on seven reservations in five states, and while the program's expansion has been very exciting and gratifying, we have more interest than we can serve with our small staff.

The RCREC will help fill the need by serving as a residential workshop site, where tribes can send people to learn hands-on how to implement renewable energy technologies. Directed by Henry Red Cloud and Lakota Solar Enterprises, the RCREC will be a place where Native Americans can gain the skills they need to start successful solar heat, solar electric, and wind power programs in their own communities.

Throughout 2008, with help from our partners at Re-Member, an organization that improves life on Pine Ridge through volunteer projects, we plan to construct a kitchen facility, living space for workshop attendees, and a full workshop area.