Golden State Today

Corning, California - Today, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Corning for a cutting-edge microgrid project that will bring energy sovereignty and sustainable economic growth to the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians. The project, funded by a $32 million state grant, is set to support the tribe's operations and contribute to California's clean energy future.

Governor Newsom highlighted the importance of such projects, stating, "California is showing the world how to fight the climate crisis while creating good jobs and more resilient communities." The initiative, part of Governor Newsom's multi-billion-dollar climate commitment, aims to accelerate the deployment of crucial energy technologies for a cleaner and more reliable energy infrastructure.

The microgrid project, receiving one of the largest state grants ever awarded to benefit California Native American tribes, will provide 5 megawatts of solar generation and 15 megawatt hours of long-duration energy storage at the Tribe’s Rolling Hills Casino & Resort in Corning. It is designed to enhance energy resiliency by discharging power during emergencies, reduce fossil fuel use, and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari emphasized the significance of the project, stating, "Paskenta’s innovative project helps advance the shared goal of scaling up clean energy projects across the state, and supports energy sovereignty and sustainable economic development for the Tribe."

Paskenta Tribal Chairman Andrew “Dru” Alejandre expressed gratitude for the partnership, saying, "We are responsible for preserving our environment for future generations. This project will allow us to provide sustainable energy and most importantly increasing energy sovereignty."

The microgrid project signifies California's commitment to clean energy, with the state already sourcing nearly 60% of its electricity from clean sources and on track to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2045. California has made significant progress in building out 35,000 MW of clean electricity capacity for the grid, powering millions of homes.

The collaboration between the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians and the state of California exemplifies a shared commitment towards a sustainable and environmentally conscious future.