Lower electric bills for tribal members with WAPA credit

   Enrolled tribal members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians served by North Central Electric Cooperative will see a reduction in their yearly electric bill approach $100,000 for 2008.  The reduction comes in the form of a bill credit on individual electric bills. The credit comes from the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and totals $96,899 for the year.
   Several years ago the U.S. Congress passed laws providing compensation to Indian tribes in the Upper Midwest for the loss of land caused by the building of federal dams on the Missouri River. The dams provided flood control, irrigation and recreation to the area. The dams, through WAPA, also generate low-cost hydro-electricity.
   Congress set aside an allocation of this hydro-electricity to be designated to tribes. The value of this allocation in 2008 is $96,899 to enrolled tribal members served by North Central Electric Cooperative. This amount essentially represents the cost difference between low-cost hydro-electricity and the cooperative’s other sources of power.
   Enrolled members of the tribe see a line item on their electric bill each month that shows them how much their WAPA credit is. The amount of the credit is based on the amount of regular electricity (not heat) each member uses. The credit amount will vary from month-to-month. Typically, credits are larger in the winter months.
   Tribal government dictates what accounts get the credit. Enrolled members and businesses located in Rolette County benefit from the WAPA credit.
North Central Electric Cooperative administers the WAPA credit for the tribe, with no administration fee.