Tulalip Tribe's $7M Clean Energy Plan Powers Future

When the next snowstorm hits Snohomish County, the Tulalip Tribes' Gathering Hall will keep the lights on for families who need shelter, powered by sunshine stored in batteries.

The Tulalip Tribes are building a resilience microgrid across their reservation in Washington State, ensuring 5,500 tribal members have access to power during emergencies. The Washington State Department of Commerce has funded $4.93 million in projects since 2023, with more on the way.

The first phase equips the Gathering Hall with a 240-kilowatt rooftop solar array and a massive battery system. When extreme weather knocks out power across the region, this building becomes a safe haven that stays warm and lit.

Steve Hinton, who has worked with tribal governments for nearly 30 years, says partnerships made the vision possible. "The Climate Commitment Act and the Department of Commerce have become key partners in helping advance these projects," he explains.

Future phases will extend the microgrid to the Tulalip Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy, the Health Care Clinic, the Senior Center, and the Marina. The system will generate nearly 50,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power critical facilities when they're needed most.

The tribe is also looking ahead to housing needs. Starting in 2027, they'll outfit five tribal elder homes each year with rooftop solar panels to reduce energy costs. A new housing development breaking ground that same year will provide homes for 50 individuals and families, with community solar options being explored.

Transportation is getting an upgrade too. Commerce awarded $1.98 million to install 58 EV charging ports at six public locations across the reservation, open to everyone in the broader community.

The Ripple Effect spreads beyond emergency preparedness. The Tulalip Reservation attracts six million visitors annually to the Quil Ceda Village Business Park, home to the Tulalip Resort Casino and Seattle Premium Outlets. As the tribe invests in clean energy infrastructure, they're showing those millions of visitors what climate resilience looks like in action.

Tribal leaders are even exploring whether an old landfill Superfund site could become a solar farm. Turning polluted land into clean energy would close one chapter of environmental harm and open another of healing.

For the Tulalip Tribes, this isn't just about solar panels and batteries. It's about protecting elders during winter storms, keeping children learning when the grid fails, and ensuring future generations inherit a community that can weather whatever comes next.