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The Energy Resource Management (ERM) Program was developed in July of 2007 within the Tax Department. The mission of the ERM Program is to promote the Responsible Management of our Tribal Energy Resources in a manner that is self-sustainable, economically feasible, as well as biologically and culturally sensitive for the Shoshone Bannock Tribes. The primary objectives for the ERM Program are to assess, analyze, and develop the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ energy resources in a way that is environmentally and culturally sound.
The Tribes have expressed a desire to develop clean and renewable energy resources that exist on the Fort Hall Reservation such as biofuels, wind, solar, and geothermal energy. Currently, wind is the primary focus for the ERM Program as it is the most feasible and has the most potential for the Shoshone Bannock Tribes.
 The ERM Program has analyzed the wind sites that have been tested on the reservation since 2001. Although, there are two commercially feasible sites, Gibson Ridge and Wheat Grass Ridge, we are cur-rently concentrating on Wheat Grass Ridge. It has the most potential to be profitable, is further away from the view shed of most homes on the reservation, and has more high powered transmission lines within a close vicinity. Currently, we are doing extensive wind testing on this site to properly understand the resource in the area. We are also performing economic modeling to understand the feasibility, performing environmental studies to understand the impact, performing engineering studies to apply for interconnection to the utilities, and we are seeking financial partners to help bring this project into fruition. Back To Top
The ERM Program is also involved in off reservation analysis of energy projects that are being proposed on public lands that the Tribes have Treaty Rights on. The ERM Program works very closely with the Natural Resource Departments on analyz-ing these activities and to submit Tribal Comments on these actions. These projects include wind, geo-thermal, coal, hydroelectricity, and transmission lines that are located on Public Lands.
The ERM Program has taken on the responsibility to assess the energy efficiency of Tribal facilities and offer suggestions to implement ways to conserve energy use in these facilities. One way to do this is through education to Tribal Departments. The ERM Program is working on a document to distribute throughout the Tribal Departments on how to con-serve and use energy more effectively. Back To Top
The ERM Program has taken on the responsibility of educating Tribal Members and the community on the Fort Hall Reservation on energy issues that may effect them. We do this through meetings, brochures, and newsletters. Education and information are important components for change in any community and the ERM Program is always working to improve these areas.
The ERM Program has also started to develop an Energy Site and Home Assessment for Tribal Members that live on the Reservation. This service includes coming to a Tribal Member’s home or resi-dence and performing an assessment to see if there are any energy resources that can be utilized for energy generation, such as wind or solar energy. The service also includes going into the home and show-ing how and where the resident can save energy costs. Currently, the ERM Program has done a number of these assessments and will set up appointments for any Tribal Member that would like this service. The ERM Program would like to build the capacity to train and hire a team of technicians that will help Tribal Members assess the energy efficiency and use in their homes and assist in conservation techniques to lower energy costs in their homes. Back To Top
The ERM Program has a new office that is located on Mission Road and is open to the public for questions. Just call or email Travis Stone, Energy Resource Program Manager, to set up an appoint-ment or to ask general questions. I am happy to help in any way I can if you have questions about energy generation, efficiency, conservation, education, schooling or training, what the Tribes are doing or anything else that relates to energy.
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