PRESS RELEASE
January 9, 2025
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes chosen for clean energy study
The Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium (IAEC), has selected the Idaho Sustainability and Energy
Coalition (ISEC) to complete a clean electricity generation feasibility study and cost estimate for
the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
Kirt Marlow, the Executive Director or the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium said, “we are pleased to be able to support the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in their journey to achieve clean energy sovereignty. With that goal in mind, this effort is intended to outline the potential benefits, downsides, costs, long term return on investment, etc. of deploying new clean energy technologies for clean electricity generation on the Fort Hall Reservation.”
Under this contract the ISEC will work closely with the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes leadership and staff to gather historic information to understand the goals of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in the areas of clean energy, energy sovereignty, and to develop a well-structured and informative feasibility study, on clean energy technology deployment (particularly small modular and micro nuclear reactors) on the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal land. This effort is expected to be completed sometime before the end of 2025.
Wyatt Petersen, the Tribal Energy Director for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes said, “the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are committed to exploring clean energy solutions that align with our cultural values and support our goals of energy sovereignty and environmental stewardship. This feasibility study is an important step toward assessing how advanced technologies can sustainably benefit our lands, community, and future generations.”
The ISEC is a local nonprofit supporting scientifically, economically, and environmentally
responsible action to make the transition to clean energy, water security, and a healthy future
for our region. Stephanie Walsh, President of the Idaho Sustainability and Energy Coalition,
said, “We are excited to receive this award by the IAEC, and honored to support the Shoshone-
Bannock Tribes in their work on clean energy options for the future”.
Funding for this effort is being provided through the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic
Development Administration under the CHIPS Act and Tech Hub designations program.
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are a federally recognized sovereign nation, governed by the Fort
Hall Business Council. In 1867, the U.S. Government by executive order established the Fort Hall
Indian Reservation (Reservation) in southeastern Idaho as the home for the Shoshone-Bannock
Tribes. The Tribes maintain a deep connection to their cultural heritage, language, and
traditions, while also engaging in modern economic, social, and environmental initiatives to
improve the well-being of their approximately 6,000 Tribal members and residents. The
Reservation encompasses over 544,000 acres across Bingham, Power, Bannock, and Caribou
counties.