25 U.S.C. § 3506

Current through P.L. 118-106 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/04/2024)

Section 3506 - Wind and hydropower feasibility study

(a) Study

The Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary, shall conduct a study of the cost and feasibility of developing a demonstration project that uses wind energy generated by Indian tribes and hydropower generated by the Army Corps of Engineers on the Missouri River to supply firming power to the Western Area Power Administration.

(b) Scope of study

The study shall-

(1) determine the economic and engineering feasibility of blending wind energy and hydropower generated from the Missouri River dams operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, including an assessment of the costs and benefits of blending wind energy and hydropower compared to current sources used for firming power to the Western Area Power Administration;

(2) review historical and projected requirements for, patterns of availability and use of, and reasons for historical patterns concerning the availability of firming power;

(3) assess the wind energy resource potential on tribal land and projected cost savings through a blend of wind and hydropower over a 30-year period;

(4) determine seasonal capacity needs and associated transmission upgrades for integration of tribal wind generation and identify costs associated with these activities;

(5) include an independent tribal engineer and a Western Area Power Administration customer representative as study team members; and

(6) incorporate, to the extent appropriate, the results of the Dakotas Wind Transmission study prepared by the Western Area Power Administration.

(c) Report

Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary, and the Secretary of the Army shall submit to Congress a report that describes the results of the study, including-

(1) an analysis and comparison of the potential energy cost or benefits to the customers of the Western Area Power Administration through the use of combined wind and hydropower;

(2) an economic and engineering evaluation of whether a combined wind and hydropower system can reduce reservoir fluctuation, enhance efficient and reliable energy production, and provide Missouri River management flexibility;

(3) if found feasible, recommendations for a demonstration project to be carried out by the Western Area Power Administration, in partnership with an Indian tribal government or tribal energy development organization, and Western Area Power Administration customers to demonstrate the feasibility and potential of using wind energy produced on Indian land to supply firming energy to the Western Area Power Administration; and

(4) an identification of-

(A) the economic and environmental costs of, or benefits to be realized through, a Federal-tribal-customer partnership; and

(B) the manner in which a Federal-tribal-customer partnership could contribute to the energy security of the United States.

(d) Funding

(1) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000, to remain available until expended.

(2) Nonreimbursability

Costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out this section shall be nonreimbursable.

25 U.S.C. § 3506

Pub. L. 102-486, title XXVI, §2606, as added Pub. L. 109-58, title V, §503(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 777; amended Pub. L. 115-325, title I, §105(c), Dec. 18, 2018, 132 Stat. 4456.

EDITORIAL NOTES

PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 3506,Pub. L. 102-486, title XXVI, §26063506,, 106 Stat. 3118, related to tribal government energy assistance program, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 109-58.

AMENDMENTS2018-Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 115-325 substituted "energy development" for "energy resource development".

Indian land: The term "Indian land" means-(A) any land located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria;(B) any land not located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria, the title to which is held-(i) in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian tribe or an individual Indian;(ii) by an Indian tribe or an individual Indian, subject to restriction against alienation under laws of the United States; or(iii) by a dependent Indian community;(C) land that is owned by an Indian tribe and was conveyed by the United States to a Native Corporation pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), or that was conveyed by the United States to a Native Corporation in exchange for such land;(D) any land located in a census tract in which the majority of residents are Natives (as defined in section 3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(b)) ); and(E) any land located in a census tract in which the majority of residents are persons who are enrolled members of a federally recognized Tribe or village.
Program: The term "Program" means the Indian energy resource development program established under section 3502(a) of this title.
Secretary: The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior.
tribal energy development organization: The term "tribal energy development organization" means-(A) any enterprise, partnership, consortium, corporation, or other type of business organization that is engaged in the development of energy resources and is wholly owned by an Indian tribe (including an organization incorporated pursuant to section 5124 of this title or section 5203 of this title); and(B) any organization of two or more entities, at least one of which is an Indian tribe, that has the written consent of the governing bodies of all Indian tribes participating in the organization to apply for a grant, loan, or other assistance under section 3502 of this title or to enter into a lease or business agreement with, or acquire a right-of-way from, an Indian tribe pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii) or (b)(2)(B) of section 3504 of this title.
tribal land: The term "tribal land" means any land or interests in land owned by any Indian tribe, title to which is held in trust by the United States, or is subject to a restriction against alienation under laws of the United States.1 See References in Text note below.