Coastal Oregon On Line Climate Assessment Program (COOL CAP)

Siletz, Oregon

Federal Funding: $323,305
Project Timeline: February 2011 – January 2013

Project Summary
Community Characteristics
Program Results/Estimated Results
Photos

Project Summary

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Heat Island Effects Through Solar Installations and Community Energy Reductions

The Confederated Tribe of Siletz Indians (CTSI) is on track to reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. CTSI has collected energy consumption data in tribal administration buildings and entered the data into EPA’s Portfolio Manager. Additionally, CTSI has continued to engage in public outreach and education, including holding Small Measure Weatherization workshops. The workshops educated community members in four cities on simple “do-it–yourself measures” they can implement to improve energy efficiency. CTSI has also installed solar panels, LEDs, and CFLs outside the Tribal Community Center, and adopted new building codes. Furthermore, CTSI has installed solar lighting on flagpoles and developed a demonstration garden to showcase a solar pump, composting, rain barrel usage, and reuse of materials. Future work includes issuing a request for proposals to install solar photovoltaic panels on the Tillicum Fitness Center and developing the Climate Action Plan.

The Confederated Tribe of Siletz Indians (CTSI) have a founding mission to care for, protect, enhance and provide for the wise use of all the Tribe's natural resources in a manner that will benefit future generations. As part of fulfilling this mission, the CTSI will expand the Siletz Tribal Energy Program to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, these expansions will include installation of solar panels on the tribal-owned Tillicum Fitness Center, a study of renewable energy potential in Siletz, and increased outreach to the tribal and local community about individual energy management.

The Siletz Tribal Energy Program (STEP) will undertake a number of actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the heat island effect in the Siletz community. STEP coordinators will first conduct a local GHG inventory, establish a GHG reduction target, and develop a climate action plan to achieve greenhouse gas reductions. The project will then implement the climate action plan and continue to monitor emissions and report on progress.

A key component of local emission reduction measures will be to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate power and act as a heat sink for the community, and to install solar water heaters. The CTSI will conduct a pilot study on whether it is feasible to transfer the heat captured by the PV panels in order to heat indoor spaces. These improvements are projected to reduce energy costs by 42% annually. Finally, program leaders will educate the community about the results of their study, and encourage energy conservation practices at the individual level, such as reducing vehicle miles traveled, weatherizing homes, and other energy efficiency improvements. These improvements are anticipated to meet the CTSI's goal of reducing Siletz GHG emissions 12% by the end of 2012.

Community Characteristics

Population:	1,600
Area:	23 square miles
Government Type:	Tribal
Community Type:	Rural
Median Household Income:	$30,804

Program Results/Estimated Results

Expected GHG Reductions:	1,189 metric tons CO₂e annually
Expected FTE Jobs Created:	1

Photos

Photo of wooden buckets with water flowing out.

Fountain with solar-powered water pump

Siletz Health Fair Watt Wagon

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