BAD RIVER, Wisc.—The Bad River Tribe is taking a significant step toward securing reliable and sustainable energy with the groundbreaking of a 46,000-foot upgrade to its existing natural gas line.
"This is a historic project, opening the door to future projects that will benefit our Tribal members for generations to come," said Robert Blanchard, Chairman of the Bad River Tribal Council.
The extended and enlarged line spans over eight miles from the top of Birch Hill, a community on the far-east side of the Bad River Reservation, down to the heart of New Odanah, where it will serve as a primary energy source for the expansion of the Bad River Health and Wellness Center. The high-pressure, four-inch line will also accommodate future needs for additional community cornerstone projects and much-needed housing for the Tribe.
This extension of the natural gas line was made possible by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Based near Highland, California, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribe has helped fund the public safety building and other cornerstone community projects.
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has donated over $400 million to lift other tribes across the Nation and communities that dwell in the tribe's ancestral lands. This significant gift-the largest from San Manuel to the Bad River Tribe-will provide the critical resources needed to complete this transformative infrastructure expansion, benefiting current and future generations.
"Our commitment to providing sustainable resources for generations to come is a fundamental value that we share with the Bad River Tribe," said Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. "It is an honor to contribute to a project that will ensure the Bad River Tribal community has access to resources necessary to thrive."
This natural gas line is one of many projects to bring safe and sustainable energy options. The Tribe has an expansive field of renewable energy solar panels to assist in providing electricity to power the Clinic.
The Tribe has garnered a U.S. Department of Energy grant to create one of the Midwest's first solar-powered micro-grids. The installation will be coordinated with local distribution utility upgrades as needed and interconnected to the distribution system, which will help to power a large percentage of tribal homes.
"Without our fellow Native family reaching out to help us, this entire operation simply would not have been possible," said Blanchard.
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is providing a $2.4 million grant to supply adequate power to the new Bad River Health and Wellness Center, serving 2,400 tribal community members.
