DECD0000075
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
This project aims to deploy a hybrid mini-grid to build energy resilience in communities that often face extreme weather events and power outages along the shores of Lake Superior.
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (also known as Mashkiiziibii in the Ojibwemowin language) will serve as the project’s lead contractor to build a planned 5 MW of solar power plus 8 MWh of battery storage.
It is anticipated that the solar power and storage facility will connect with existing diesel and natural gas generation to form a hybrid mini-grid, enabling the reservation’s Odanah and Birch Hill communities to maintain power amidst power outages.
This project aims to help the Bad River Band reach its goal of net zero carbon emissions with 100% renewable electricity generation by 2027 and provide a model for replication in other tribes and rural communities.
As part of its community benefits plan, the Bad River Band Tribe plans to work alongside the University of Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Community Initiative to reduce utility bills by 10%.
It is anticipated that the project will also provide employment and financial benefits to tribal members, who face a 14% unemployment rate.
The project aims to contribute $200,000 to workforce development training for local tribal members and contract 50% of workers from the tribal community.
The tribe seeks to partner with a local school district, community college, and university to design new employee training and brainstorm activities to support and formalize clean energy workforce development in Wisconsin.
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (also known as Mashkiiziibii in the Ojibwemowin language) will serve as the project’s lead contractor to build a planned 5 MW of solar power plus 8 MWh of battery storage.
It is anticipated that the solar power and storage facility will connect with existing diesel and natural gas generation to form a hybrid mini-grid, enabling the reservation’s Odanah and Birch Hill communities to maintain power amidst power outages.
This project aims to help the Bad River Band reach its goal of net zero carbon emissions with 100% renewable electricity generation by 2027 and provide a model for replication in other tribes and rural communities.
As part of its community benefits plan, the Bad River Band Tribe plans to work alongside the University of Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Community Initiative to reduce utility bills by 10%.
It is anticipated that the project will also provide employment and financial benefits to tribal members, who face a 14% unemployment rate.
The project aims to contribute $200,000 to workforce development training for local tribal members and contract 50% of workers from the tribal community.
The tribe seeks to partner with a local school district, community college, and university to design new employee training and brainstorm activities to support and formalize clean energy workforce development in Wisconsin.
Funding Goals
INCREASE ENERGY RESILIENCY, INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF CLEAN ENERGY, AND PROVIDE ECONOMIC BENEFITS
TO THE TRIBAL COMMUNITY OF THE BAD RIVER BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS IN ODANAH,
WI.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Wisconsin
United States
Geographic Scope
State-Wide
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 2115% from $635,881 to $14,081,785.
BAD River Band Of Lake Superior Tribe Of Chippewa Indians was awarded
Resilient Energy Project: Hybrid Mini-Grid Lake Superior Communities
Cooperative Agreement DECD0000075
worth $14,081,785
from the Department of Energy in August 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Wisconsin United States.
The grant
has a duration of 5 years 4 months and
was awarded through assistance program 81.255 Clean Energy Demonstrations.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Funding Opportunity Announcement.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 8/4/25
Period of Performance
8/15/24
Start Date
12/31/29
End Date
Funding Split
$14.1M
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$14.1M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to DECD0000075
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
DECD0000075
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally-Recognized)
Awarding Office
892436 OFFICE OF CLEAN ENERGY DEMONSTRATIONS (OCED)
Funding Office
892410 OFFICE OF CLEAN ENERGY DEMONSTRATION
Awardee UEI
Y25QVLBJCLB6
Awardee CAGE
3F1M3
Performance District
WI-90
Senators
Tammy Baldwin
Ron Johnson
Ron Johnson
Modified: 8/4/25