Indian tribe creates own electric utility

On June 6, 2009 the St. Regis Mohawk tribe voted 445-102 to create its own electric utility.  It will invest about $14 million to build a new power plant and distribution network.  The reservation is on the U.S.-Canadian border in northern New York.  Some 11,000 tribal members liver on the New York side of the border.

Nine other Indian tribes already have their own tribal electric utility.  The St. Regis Mohawk tribe now joins them in demonstrating that when it comes to electricity, local self-reliance is cheaper and better.