Decarbonize LVD CPRG Program
Lac Vieux Desert
Program Overview
The Decarbonize LVD CPRG Program is a limited program offered by the Tribe to help reduce the overall carbon footprint and reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions in the Tribe’s Michigan Service Area which consists of Gogebic, Iron, and Ontonagon County. The Tribe, in partnership with Elevate Energy, applied for and received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (“CPRG”) that is geared to implement GHG reduction programs, policies, projects, and measures. CPRG activities include the implementation of Residential Net-Zero housing plan* for 145 eligible households which includes such activities as energy efficiency enhancement and home weatherization.
*Homes that produce as much energy as they consume annually using renewable resources and high efficiency systems
Eligibility
Are you an LVD Tribal Member?
Do you have an ownership interest in your primary residence?
Is your primary residence in the Gogebic, Iron, or Ontonagon County, Michigan?
Are you an LVD Tribal Member who rents a house from the LVD Housing Department?
Are your energy bills unusually high?
Are you interested in renewable energy, sustainability, or climate solutions?
Do you have general health issues that might be the result of your houses condition?
If you said yes to all of the above questions, you qualify for the CPRG program!
Why Renewable Energy?
Pursuant to Proclamation 2024-001 Climate Change Initiative, the Tribe is dedicated to taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency by decreasing pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy use, saving money, and preserving our traditional Anishinaabe ways of life.
The Tribe believes that renewable energy resources developed in a manner that does the least amount of damage to natural surroundings protects the environment, benefitting and respecting Mother Earth and our community. Michigan Public Service Commission grant funded the development of a targeted plan, LVD Net Zero Carbon Plan ("Plan") for the Tribe. The Plan contains actionable strategies for energy self-sufficiency, resilience, carbon emission reduction, with the primary end goal of achieving energy sovereignty.
The Plan contains a Road Map to Net Zero Carbon cementing LVD's commitment to:- Eliminating reliance on fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy
- Supporting renewable energy source economic development contributing to LVDs financial stability
- Building a new energy economy using clean energy
- Supporting Tribal Members efforts to reduce their reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Action Plan
- Healthy Home and Energy Efficiency Assessments
- Installation of HVAC and electrical upgrades
- Installation of solar arrays on houses and 2 commercial buildings
Ends Results
The Residential Net-Zero housing plan will reduce energy usage and costs for the LVD community, workforce development, hazardous air pollutants reductions, generate clean power, and increase community understanding of GHG reductions. This will allow the Tribe to reduce its overall carbon footprint by an estimated 33,400 metric tons CO2e (2025-2050).
Additional Information:
Additional information can be found by logging in to the Tribal Members Only portal. If you do not have access or want to receive information a different way please contact us at decarbonize@lvd-nsn.gov or Leah Schenk, Energy Manager at (906) 358-4577 ext. 4120.