Recommendations for Reducing Energy Consumption and Improving Air Quality Through Energy Efficiency on Native-American Lands

The strongest recommendation stemming from the Air Pollution Prevention forum of the Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP) was for tribes to develop and implement energy plans. This article provides a discussion of the benefits of any such plan and itemizes a variety of components of any said plan. A brief discussion of the WRAP is presented within the framework of improving air quality. Based on the background of Jacobs (2000) and Smith (2000), the primary and secondary benefits of energy efficiency plans are then discussed. Then a series of specific recommendations are itemized. These include tribally-sponsored programs, collaborative opportunities, and tribal leadership programs.

Keywords:

• energy efficiency
• Native Americans
• American Indians
• energy plans
• Western Regional Air Partnership