The Department of Health and Human Services made grant awards totaling $287,580 to five tribes under the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Option Program (REACH) for FY 2010. This is the “second round” of REACH grants in FY 2010.
Four of the tribal winners received an additional $10,000 for Energy Efficiency Education Services (EEES) Plans.
INDIAN TRIBES/TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS
AND TERRITORY REACH AWARDS: $287,580
Confederated Siletz (Oregon), $60,000 (includes $10,000 for EEES)
Yakama (Washington), $47,580
Citizen Potawatomi (Oklahoma), $60,000 (includes $10,000 for EEES)
Seneca-Cayuga (Oklahoma), $60,000 (includes $10,000 for EEES)
Grand Traverse (Michigan), $60,000 (includes $10,000 for EEES)
CONFEDERATED SILETZ $60,000*
(OREGON)
Homes in the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians service area are subject to damp and cool conditions for most of the year, often leading to the occurrence of mold growth inside homes. Mold is a common health hazard in the Pacific Northwest and can cause respiratory ailments and other problems. Siletz will use its REACH funds to replace older heating systems with more efficient models that will reduce mold growth, reduce energy use and utility costs, and generally improve the physical and financial well-being of Siletz Tribal members. EEES funds will be used to focus on the areas of energy conservation and efficiency, health hazards associated with mold and inefficient heating systems, and budgeting.
The EEES Plan: The Tribe will develop and provide conservation videos to be shown to LIHEAP households.
*Includes $10,000 for energy efficiency education
YAKAMA INDIAN RESERVATION $47,580
(WASHINGTON)
The Yakama Indian Reservation is located in an area of Washington where timber is easily accessible, and yet the Tribe has a lengthy woodstove waiting list that dates back to 2005. REACH funds will help the Tribe serve those households that have been waiting for woodstoves. This project will maximize the use of available local resources. Additionally, it will provide a more efficient and safe alternative to those clients who use electricity to heat their homes but experience dangerous electricity interruptions during long winter storms.
CITIZEN POTAWATOMI NATION $60,000*
(OKLAHOMA)
The Tribe will give priority to vulnerable households to provide weatherization and replace heating and cooling appliances. Additionally, the program will provide training in the reduction of energy costs related to the health and safety of the household and provide financial budgeting.
*Includes $10,000 for energy efficiency education
SENECA-CAYUGA $60,000*
(OKLAHOMA)
The Tribe will provide services to improve the energy self-sufficiency of low income tribal families and elders, by referring eligible members to the Tribe’s Housing and Environmental Programs. These programs assist by determining the primary home energy improvement needs. Once a plan is in place to assist those eligible households, a meeting is set up to provide individuals with financial budgeting, energy wise education and referrals to various advocacy programs in the area to continue working with the families to improve their energy, health and safety needs. The Tribe is using an annual festival, in collaboration with various agencies, to provide a broad array of services and educational opportunities to low-income households at risk for homelessness as a result of the inability to pay their energy bills.
*Includes $10,000 for energy efficiency education
GRAND TRAVERSE $60,000*
(MICHIGAN)
The Tribe will undertake a number of activities to prevent hypothermia for at-risk elderly tribal members, integrating these efforts with emergency bill payment assistance along with education classes. In addition, energy efficient heaters will be provided, and the overall program will target elderly and young children households, in order to keep families safe from extreme cold weather and maintain health.
*Includes $10,000 for energy efficiency education
