Dennis Eastman, President of ENCO Utility Services
(ENCO), announced today the signing of a Global Strategic Alliance with The Council of Energy
Resource Tribes (CERT)
www.certredearth.com.
Mr. Eastman further commented that the Alliance creates a more comprehensive “team”
approach to the development of Tribal Energy Utilities as well as leveraging the unique expertise
ENCO offers with the unique opportunity available to Indian Nations.
According to David Lester, Executive Director for CERT, the purpose of the Strategic Alliance is
to use ENCO’s electric utility development and management expertise to assist Member Tribes
in the feasibility analysis, design, engineering, construction, operation, maintenance and capital
funding necessary to create an Indian Nation electric utility distribution systems, also known as
a Tribal Electric Utility. Mr. Lester added that these newly formed Tribal Utilities will be part
of the overall Tribal Energy Market being established to benefit and enhance the development of
Sovereign Indian Nations.
About CERT
The Council of Energy Resource Tribes was founded by Indian Tribes out of necessity
and out of a profound sense of collective self-confidence - the confidence that they could
chart a new course of prudent development that would address Tribal priorities and
values while contributing to a more secure energy future for all Americans.
Since the inception of the Council of Energy Resource Tribes, the farsighted leaders have
dramatically restructured the federal-Indian relationship regarding mineral development on
Indian lands and have forged alliances and partnerships with industry.
From the beginning, the CERT member Tribes maintained complete management of their valuable
resources. Tribes participate in all aspects of managing their resources - from negotiating
agreements, protecting the environment, realizing the value of water and other resources to
verifying revenue payments.
Tribes gained management oversight of the federal departments with responsibility for Indians
and energy technical assistance. Led by the Department of Energy and supported by the Departments
of Interior, Health and Human Services' Administration for Native Americans, and the Environmental
Protection Agency, the inter-agency agreement is a model for multi-tribal and multi-agency
coordination. Tribes are now taking their rightful place in the American system of government
and are more able to fulfill their governmental responsibilities. Equally important, Indian
Tribes are participating and competing in the American economic marketplace.
Indian Tribes are gaining control of their resources. They are protecting, managing and developing
(or choosing not to develop) their lands. And they are doing it in a manner consistent with their
priorities and traditions.
