FireKeepers’ decision to pursue renewable energy is not surprising, considering its mission statement. The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi tribe has an environmental mission to protect the health of “Mother Earth” and its clean energy project is just one of the ways of achieving this goal.
“It’s up to us as a Nation, we’ve been given the responsibility by the Creator to protect Mother Earth. We just decommissioned our solar panels and moving forward with this renewable energy project with Consumers Energy is great timing and shows our commitment in making sure that we keep our promise as far as protecting Mother Earth,” Jamie Stuck, the tribe’s chairperson said in an interview with Battle Creek Enquirer.
“Sometimes we as human beings fall short, but all we can really do is do our best and try to learn from our mistakes and correct our actions so that we’re looking after the next Seven Generations and what type of world we leave them with.”
Back in 2011, the tribe launched one of its first clean energy projects by creating a solar power company to supply electricity to its gaming floor and other facilities on its reservation.
On the other side of the partnership, Consumers Energy is also no stranger to renewable energy initiatives. The company is the major provider of electric and natural gas services to about 3.5 million Michigan residents in the Lower Peninsula of the Great Lakes State. In addition, Consumers Energy has 6 million customers in Michigan, accounting for 60% of the state’s total population.
