Campo Kumeyaay Nation - November 9, 2009 AMERICAN INDIAN LEADERS PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGY TO BENEFIT THEIR PEOPLE, THEIR REGION AND MOTHER EARTH

Campo Kumeyaay Nation
November 9, 2009

AMERICAN INDIAN LEADERS PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGY TO BENEFIT THEIR PEOPLE, THEIR REGION AND MOTHER EARTH

Campo Chairwoman Addresses Issues of Climate Change and American Indian Sovereignty at Meetings in U.S. Capitol WASHINGTON, D.C.

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Contact: Nancy Murphy nancy_murphy@comcast.net (202) 222-8908

Campo Kumeyaay Nation Chairwoman, Monique LaChappa, brought the voice of the Campo people to Washington last week in an effort to shape policy on clean energy and the future of Indian Country. Participating in the White House Clean Energy Economy Forum, the White House Tribal Nations Conference and the Climate Change and Indian Country event, Ms. LaChappa raised issues of concern to Campo, such as climate change, and called on U.S. leaders to help address such issues.

Monique with NWF President

Monique LaChappa with NWF President

"Our band is at the forefront of national efforts to build a new energy future. Our wind power project is the accelerant to the Campo people’s comprehensive community improvement plan, but it’s also good for the people of San Diego County and all of America. We need the support of Secretary Salazar and others in Washington to move this project forward as quickly as possible," said Chairwoman LaChappa.

Campo D.C. Visit Page Two Renewable energy and climate change legislation were at the top of the agenda for many of the week’s discussions. Ms. LaChappa joined leaders from other tribes who also are eager to ramp up renewable energy efforts on tribal lands with the goal of benefiting their people, the country and Mother Earth. Campo, along with other tribes, believes that investments in wind, solar and other forms of clean energy represent a long-awaited opportunity to diversify revenue sources, promote financial stability, preserve traditional cultural values, and promote the health, safety and welfare of Indian people.

In a meeting with tribal leaders on Thursday, November 5, President Obama reinforced his commitment to Indian Country and to facilitating our access to renewable energy development. "Up to 15 percent of our potential wind energy resources are on Native American land, and the potential for solar energy is even higher,". said President Obama. "But too often, you face unique hurdles to developing these renewable resources. . . We're streamlining and expediting the permit process for energy development and transmission across tribal lands. We are securing tribal access to financing and investments for new energy projects."

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The Campo Kumeyaay Nation (CKN) is one of twelve Kumeyaay Bands in the County of San Diego, California. They are a gaming tribe and owners of the Golden Acorn Casino & Travel Center. CKN was one of the first tribal nations to join The Climate Registry as well as to measure and collect data on greenhouse gas emissions in the region. Campo currently hosts a 50 MW wind project, the largest commercial-scale wind project on tribal lands. In partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric, a subsidiary of Sempra, and Invenergy, CKN will jointly develop and operate the first phase –160 MW – of a 300MW expansion.