Renewable Energy and Affordable Housing Merge on Pine Ridge Reservation
When storms gather on the Pine Ridge reservation, home to the Oglala Nation in South Dakota, they announce their presence with a breathtaking display. Over the undulating hills, clouds coalesce into formidable waves, heralding the impending rain. Powerful gusts of wind stir up the earthy scent of dirt and sagebrush, while wildlife senses the approaching tempest and takes shelter in the vast Badlands. All the while, the KILI radio station broadcasts warnings to the community, foretelling the imminent weather’s fury. The storm’s arrival is a gradual crescendo, building anticipation before it unleashes its full force.
Much like the way these storms gather energy, slowly and with purpose, another transformative force is gaining momentum on Pine Ridge. The people who have long endured the effects of colonialism and industrialization are uniting, organizing, and laying the groundwork for a more promising future. While Red Cloud Renewable has been a beacon of sustainability on Pine Ridge, there was a missing piece critical to the success of renewable energy efforts: housing. Solar panels on poorly insulated, mold-infested homes could not adequately address the reservation’s energy crisis.
In 2015, Pine Ridge was battered by several severe storms that prompted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to dispatch 50 trailers to assist the community during the flooding. Remarkably, these temporary housing units are still in use today.
It is a staggering reality that 89% of Pine Ridge residents are in dire need of housing. According to the American Indian Humanitarian Foundation, at least 60% of the homes on Pine Ridge lack basic amenities such as water, electricity, proper insulation, or sewage systems. Summers can bring blistering temperatures soaring to 110 degrees Fahrenheit and beyond, while winters plunge to a bone-chilling -50 degrees. Monthly heating bills during the winter months can skyrocket to $500, a financial burden beyond the means of many.
With the average per capita income ranging from $7,000 to $9,000 per year, an alternative energy source is not merely a cost-saving measure; it’s a matter of survival.
Solar energy offers more than just economic relief; it bridges the old and new ways of life for the Lakota people. It has the potential to restore Indigenous autonomy by providing the option to live off-grid, reconnecting people with their ancestral traditions while ensuring a sustainable future.
