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The flag of the Seneca Nation is seen in New York. Photo: JeromeG111
Seneca Nation company lands deal to provide clean energy to government buildings
Friday, August 2, 2024
Indianz.Com

A company owned by the Seneca Nation will be providing clean energy to 185 U.S. government buildings across 12 states under a landmark deal.

Seneca Environmental, the energy solutions division of Seneca Holdings, the wholly owned investment arm of the Seneca Nation, won the first-ever solicitation of its kind. The firm will sell energy attribute certificates to the General Services Administration (GSA) to power the government buildings with carbon pollution-free electricity.

“Seneca Environmental is building our capacity to participate in power markets and serve customers that value authentic business relationships with tribally owned enterprises,” Jeffrey Ellis, CEO of Seneca Holdings, said in a news release on Friday. “This government contract provided us the opportunity to combine Seneca Environmental’s growing capabilities in the renewable energy sector with our organization’s already deep expertise doing business with the federal government.”

The GSA made the deal with Seneca Environmental under the Indian Energy Purchase Preference provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Despite the law being on the books for nearly two decades, the action marked the first time it has been used to purchase energy from a tribal entity.

“This historic award represents a real breakthrough by demonstrating that the government can buy affordable carbon-free electricity in ways that strengthen tribal nations and provide great value for taxpayers,” GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan said in a news release. “Dispelling the myth that buying from tribal enterprises would come at a premium, this award shows that a clean energy future is all the brighter with partnerships in Indian Country — and demonstrates our commitment to building a clean energy economy that works for everyone.”

According to Seneca Holdings and the GSA, the deal indeed provides savings to U.S. taxpayers. The government is paying nearly $800,000 less for the same amount of energy compared to averages paid last year.

“For 20 years the Indian Energy Preference was dormant due to government red tape and bureaucracy. This announcement sets up a new partnership model between tribal energy businesses and the federal government in achieving our country’s clean energy goals and solving the climate crisis,” said Wahleah Johns, a citizen of the Navajo Nation who serves as director of the Office of Indian Energy at the Department of Energy.

The GSA issued the solicitation to purchase energy attribute certificates from a tribal majority-owned business organization in April.
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