Session 3F: Tribal Communities

The Hawai‘i Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center (HGGRC) engaged with the Lāna‘i Island’s community and land management company, Pūlama Lāna‘i, when conducting geothermal and groundwater research. Lāna‘i Island holds blind geothermal resources–the geothermal resources are deep below the surface. Lāna‘i Island will likely undergo substantial development in the near future, which will place additional demands on its freshwater supply and renewable energy resources. More knowledge of Lāna‘i’s water supply, source, and quality will be needed. For the Hawai‘i Play Fairway project, HGGRC deepened an existing water well on Lāna‘i, collected data, and engaged with the Lāna‘i community and Pūlama Lāna‘i. This drilling project is the first deep-drill geothermal research project in the Hawaiian Islands outside of Hawai‘i Island. HGGRC shared its research with community members in three community meetings and gave them a tour of the drilling site. HGGRC coordinated its geophysical surveys with Pūlama Lāna‘i’s archeology division. Local high schoolers contributed to the research as paid interns. HGGRC disseminated its research through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, datasets and a blog with drilling updates. HGGRC’s research benefited the Lāna‘i community: the research increased the knowledge of Lāna‘i’s water supply and enabled the community to consider geothermal as a renewable energy source. HGGRC aimed to empower the Lāna‘i community, so it can contribute to and benefit from the research and can effectively manage the island’s groundwater and geothermal resources for continued sustainable livelihood and development.

Tribes have a long and strong relationship with nature, especially their land. Not only that, some lands are considered sacred, and thus, protection of them implies little to no alteration, which may also limit the use of renewable energy such as wind or solar. This, of course, is becoming a very sensitive viewpoint when referring to fossil resources such as oil, gas, and coal. Notably, there have been tensions between tribal nations and the oil and gas industry for quite some time. Recently more focus on environmental sustainability and local utilization of energy resources will better encourage the use of renewable resources like geothermal energy.

This paper presents the Pawnee National Rural Energy pilot Project that started in January 2024. The Rural Energy Pilot Program, supported by the USDA, represents a transformative initiative focusing on sustainable energy and community empowerment. Central to the program is the conversion of oil wells into sources of renewable energy, coupled with integrating smart sensors in homes for energy efficiency. This three-year expedition also emphasizes solar gardens, electric vehicle adoption, and community engagement through education and workshops, ensuring an equitable transition to a sustainable future.

Moreover, the Pawnee Nation's project stands as a testament to environmental justice, targeting the disproportionate ecological burdens faced by marginalized communities. By emphasizing the underutilized renewable energy potential of tribal lands, which encompass a significant portion of the nation's renewable resources, the initiative aims to rectify energy inequalities and foster community resilience. The formation of the Pawnee Nation Center for Rural Innovation and Strategy (PNCRIS) represents a collaborative endeavor, comprising a Housing Authority, a Tribal College, the Tribal Nation itself, an Electric Cooperative, a State University, and a Non-profit organization. This consortium is ever-evolving, consistently broadening its network to encompass additional local partners.

In the Waiwhatu Project, we created five new kupu (words) in Te Reo (language) Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand) relating to geothermal. This search for shared understanding was born out of difficulties experienced when trying to source meaningful relevant words in Te Reo Māori to define scientific terms used in geothermal research and development.

This pilot project created an opportunity to understand the practice of others. We listened to scientists explain useful technical concepts, relevant to earth sciences, geothermal and volcanology, and then interpreted these through a Māori lens into a shared language, bringing Mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge) and western science into one space. One of the new kupu is 'waiwhatu' for geothermal, which means fluid from the core (heart of the Earth), not fresh water, but fluid woven through the inside of the Earth to the surface.

We share the process for developing, testing and sharing the new kupu. Seven learnings from using the Waiwhatu model were:

i. Embrace multiple world views

ii. Don’t rush

iii. Choose the right people

iv. Everyone must be a learner

v. No one owns the words

vi. Value outcomes, not outputs

vii. Be the leader you wish to see in the world

The true test going forward will be in the uptake and use of the words and concepts outside of our project team—that is when language truly exists in the world.

Māori, Aotearoa New Zealand’s indigenous people, have a recognized and powerful constitutional role in New Zealand society, and a critical and increasing role in the national economy. Since the early 1900s, access to Māori owned land and the geothermal resource beneath, has been sought for power generation. Māori and their organizations have participated in a range of ways in such developments, from landlords to equity owners, providing substantial returns for Māori whanau (family groups) with commercial interests in these projects.

But Māori-owned businesses are not only motivated by financial outcomes; they are also driven by the tikanga (philosophies and principles) inherent in Māori belief systems. Financial goals must be balanced with social, environmental and cultural aspirations. Creating wealth is not seen as an end in itself. Māori are driven to invest in projects that provide intergenerational prosperity, and to care for the sustainability and health of the resources and environment they are responsible for. This core principle of ‘kaitiakitanga’ (guardianship) strongly aligns with geothermal reservoir management necessary for long-term (30+ years) sustainable commercial operation, the decarbonization of manufacturing, and catalyzing economic development and employment opportunities. The social benefits of these projects (including electricity security) then extend more broadly to the local communities and the region within which they reside.

This paper provides an actionable guide for indigenous groups on how to participate in geothermal projects, beginning with critical internal pre-work before engaging with developers. It is also for developers to grow their knowledge and capacity to effectively and appropriately engage with indigenous groups.

Geothermal energy stands at the forefront of sustainable solutions, offering a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional energy sources. The Osage Tribal Nation, like many communities worldwide, recognizes the immense potential of geothermal resources in addressing energy needs while minimizing environmental impact. Utilizing geothermal energy for direct-use applications holds promise for revolutionizing agricultural practices and enhancing community resilience.

This study delves into the transformative potential of geothermal direct-use technology, focusing on its application in greenhouse heating within the Osage Tribal Nation. The greenhouse serves not only as a vital source of fresh produce but also as a symbol of cultural heritage and community sustenance. However, the challenge of providing consistent heating to sustain agricultural operations underscores the need for innovative and sustainable energy solutions.

Against this backdrop, our research endeavors to explore the geothermal landscape of the Osage Nation, employing advanced geological modeling, reservoir simulation, well planning, and economic analysis techniques. By investigating the feasibility of drilling new wells near the greenhouse and harnessing geothermal heat flow, we seek to establish a robust framework for integrating geothermal energy into the tribe's energy portfolio.

The Osage Tribal Nation's commitment to sustainable energy practices aligns with the broader goal of fostering environmental stewardship and self-sufficiency within indigenous communities. This case study serves as a blueprint for leveraging geothermal resources to address food security challenges and promote sustainable development initiatives.

Join us for an insightful presentation on Pilgrim Hot Springs, located and surrounded by tribal lands in the subarctic region of Alaska's Seward Peninsula, nested just 50 miles northeast of Nome. This exploration reveals a significant geothermal resource, recognized as the largest identified on the Seward Peninsula, poised to support diverse applications, including an upcoming on-site binary power generation initiative.

We will delve into the local tribal ownership, collaborations, partnerships, and their plans to install a binary power plant that will harness this geothermal resource. This project not only promises to generate energy but will also provide crucial data on the feasibility of small-scale geothermal energy solutions for remote areas.

The presentation will cover:

- A timeline of Pilgrim Hot Springs' partnerships and developments

- Current projects and their progress

- Implementation timelines for the power plant

- Anticipated impacts on the local community and environment 

Join us to explore the future of sustainable energy at Pilgrim Hot Springs and its potential to transform energy accessibility in remote communities.