Energy independence is the mantra of the day for politicians as their constituents grow weary of paying more for a gallon of gas than they do a gallon of milk. In his last State of the Union Address, Dubya told us that we are all "addicted to oil."
I chuckled out loud when I heard that one. Dubya telling us that we're addicted to oil is kind of like having a fat rezzer lecture you about eating too much frybread. If one were to test him, I bet Dubya's blood type would be "Premium."
When listening to others who actually have credibility on energy issues, it becomes apparent that the driving principles behind the energy discussion are the need for "independence" and the need to reduce global warming.
Those principles apply with equal or greater force to tribal nations. Self-generated energy decreases our dependence on federal and state governments for basic infrastructure needs, thus strengthening our sovereignty. Conserving fuel and looking toward cleaner energy will help protect the health of our sacred homelands.
Oh, and did I mention that the energy industry will be one of the highest-growth industries of this century, creating enormous economic opportunities?
Well now I did.
Tribal nations should look to control and develop their own energy resources to service their own communities. Many tribes are home to some of the best potential wind energy sites, while others are home to some of the continent's largest low-sulfur coal deposits.
I want to take care not to overstate the potential of wind energy, as it is expensive and isn't as efficient as its coal and nuclear counterparts. Wind energy will never generate a large portion of the world's electricity, but it can be very beneficial to rural areas and subsidies and tax breaks can offset a lot of the premiums.
Just two or three wind turbines can provide enough energy to power several hundred homes, which could mean complete energy independence for tribes. Tribes located in prime wind areas could generate excess capacity and enter into purchase power agreements with other tribes to meet some or all of their energy needs.
As they develop wind resources, tribes can also partner with companies like General Electric to improve this technology to increase efficiency and decrease costs.
There are additional cutting edge technologies that tribes can jump on, such as coal filtration technology that could spur economic growth.
Although we comprise a small percentage of the population in this country, Indigenous peoples and our governments can make a significant contribution to curbing global warming by developing policies to improve conservation.
Here in Michigan, tribal governments have entered into tax agreements with the state that exempt sales tax on certain purchases of products that are used in the tax agreement areas.
Those tribal governments, though, could impose their own use taxes upon disfavored products to provide incentives for tribal members to purchase fuel efficient cars, Energy Star appliances and efficient home building materials.
For instance, if a tribal member buys a personal (not business) car or truck with a fuel economy of less than 20 mpg, the tribe could collect a use tax of 4 percent (still less than the state's 6 percent sales tax) and apply the proceeds to subsidize the purchase of hybrid cars and other energy-conserving products for other tribal citizens. The same could hold true for purchases of certain non-Energy Star products or construction materials.
These taxes would provide incentives for tribal citizens to purchase "green" products as well as extra revenue for the tribal government. The taxes would also serve as a premium on owning inefficient products.
Tribal nations can get in front of the curve on energy issues, and, in the process, energize our sovereignty and set an example for the rest of the world to follow.
Bryan Newland is a Bay Mills Indian Community Member and a student at Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing. He is the oldest son of Gordon and Vickie Newland of Bay Mills. He has written columns and letters that have appeared in local, regional, and national publications. He is the oldest son of Gordon and Vicki Newland of Bay Mills and is married to Erica Newland, with son, Graydon. You can respond to his column at 517-862-5570 or tikro6@yahoo.com.
