Seneca Environmental Selected as Preferred Provider for ATCE

The company was approved for the program through a rigorous vetting process designed to connect tribes with trusted renewable energy service providers

Salamanca, NY – April 11, 2024 – Seneca Environmental, the energy solutions division of Seneca Holdings, LLC, wholly owned by the Seneca Nation, is proud to announce that it has been selected as the first Preferred Provider for the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization offering no-cost capacity-building support to tribal nations based on a strong foundation of Native American culture and values.

Advancing the self-determined efforts of Native American Tribes to transition toward clean energy, the Alliance is currently supporting over 75 tribes with nearly 8 GW of clean energy in development. The Alliance’s critical work to propel a tribal clean energy movement is supported by philanthropic partners, including the Rockefeller Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and many others.

With its Preferred Provider Program, the Alliance is addressing barriers to renewable energy development on Native land. At least 60 GW of untapped solar energy potential and at least 1 GW of wind potential exist on Native lands, and unprecedented new federal legislation and initiatives have made billions of dollars of funding available for tribal renewable energy projects. However, many Native communities lack the capacity to finance and build these projects, and finding trusted renewable energy development companies and partners is a significant obstacle.

To bridge these gaps, the Alliance is serving as a liaison between renewable energy companies and Native communities. The Alliance Preferred Provider Program helps tribes connect with highly qualified, ethical renewable energy developers and service providers. To become eligible for the Preferred Provider Program, providers must undergo a rigorous evaluation and cultural training process. Companies must be willing to prioritize traditional cultural preservation alongside renewable energy development.

“We are pleased to partner with Seneca Environmental, the first official Preferred Provider that has successfully completed our vetting process,” said Chéri Smith, President & CEO of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. “Seneca Environmental has consistently shown a dedication to building trusted relationships with tribes. With their strong technical expertise and ample capacity, they have proven their ability to deliver results. What sets them apart is their commitment to meeting tribes where they are and empowering them to drive decisions. This approach ensures that project prioritization and ownership models are closely aligned with the tribe’s goals,” Smith said.

The Preferred Provider Program is a natural fit for Seneca Environmental. As one of just a few tribally owned renewable energy development and services companies in the nation, Seneca Environmental is ideally positioned to work with Native communities in an equitable and respectful way.

“Seneca Environmental is honored to be the first Preferred Provider with the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, which is serving a pivotal role in helping Native communities harness the power of renewable energy,” said Jeffrey Ellis, CEO of Seneca Holdings. “In our work with Native communities across the nation, we are helping tribes develop projects that are aligned with their unique goals. We are also committed to building capacity across Indian Country so that Native communities can improve their economies and further their energy independence.”

About Seneca Environmental
Seneca Environmental, a division of Seneca Holdings, LLC, was established to equitably deploy and invest in innovative renewable energy solutions that heal the Earth and is committed to working with partners and customers to “do the most good.” Wholly owned by the Seneca Nation, Seneca Environmental is a Tribally owned business whose profits go directly toward supporting the on-territory needs of the members of the Seneca Nation. Seneca Environmental delivers projects at scale for customers wanting their climate dollars to support historically underserved communities. By accelerating the transition to renewable energy through authentic relationships based on shared values, Seneca Environmental is building a Tribal workforce and Indigenous enterprise capacity to benefit current and future generations. Visit us at senecaenvironmental.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

PR Contact:
Rosana Francescato
Seneca Environmental
415-282-2488
rfrancescato@senecaenvironmental.com