WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that Santo Domingo Pueblo was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to receive a $210,000 grant to accelerate the Tribe's implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. This federal investment will help install a ground-mounted, 115-kilowatt solar array to power the Tribe's community water pump and treatment facility, which has the highest energy demand on the reservation. Expected savings for Santo Domingo Pueblo are $20,000 annually based on a 75 to 85 percent reduction in power consumption.
"This new solar energy system will help Santo Domingo Pueblo power its water pump and treatment facility with a clean, reliable source of energy that's close to home," Udall said. "The movement toward clean energy creates important opportunities for economic growth and job creation, and I will continue to work to ensure all New Mexico communities can benefit from a clean energy economy that emphasizes renewable energy and innovative technology."
"Tribal nations like Santo Domingo Pueblo understand the inherent value of independence and self sufficiency. This solar project will further those goals and New Mexico's role as a clean power leader," Heinrich said.
Santa Domingo Pueblo was competitively selected to receive the funding through the U.S. Department of Energy's Tribal Energy Program. For more information, visit: http://eeredevapps1.nrel.gov/tribalenergy/projects_selected_2015.cfm
