Drummond Woodsum Attorneys Negotiate One of the Largest Clean Energy Grants in California History on behalf of Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians

Attorneys Adam Cote, Erick Giles and Stacey Caulk negotiated an agreement on behalf of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians for a $32 million-dollar solar and battery storage microgrid project — one of the largest grants ever awarded by the State of California. The project will support energy sovereignty for the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians and deploy important energy technologies to support California’s clean energy goals.

According to California Governor Newsom’s Office, the project will:

• Provide 5 megawatts (MW) of solar generation and 15 megawatt hours of long-duration energy storage at the Tribe’s Rolling Hills Casino & Resort in Corning, California;
• Enhance energy resiliency by discharging power during emergencies; and
• Lower fossil fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions.

Attorney Cote attended the groundbreaking on April 11 along with Newsom Administration officials and the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians.

Attorney Cote noted that he is, “honored to have negotiated this innovative clean energy project on behalf of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians. The solar and battery storage microgrid will support the tribe’s economic growth and energy sovereignty while contributing to California’s clean energy future.”

Attorney Cote leads the Energy Practice Group at Drummond Woodsum and has over 20 years of experience serving the legal needs of clients in renewable energy matters, with a focus on renewable energy development. Learn more about Attorney Cote here.

Attorney Giles represents federally-recognized Tribal Nations, Indian families, and non-profit organizations.  He concentrates his practice on a wide array of complex legal issues facing tribes, including federal Indian law, treaty rights, Tribal and individual land stewardship, state and federal regulations, commercial contracts, economic development, labor and employment, cannabis and alcohol regulations, and federal recognition. Learn more about Attorney Giles here.

Attorney Caulk is the Leader of the firm’s Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group, and Co-Leader of the Land Use & Conservation Practice Group. She represents clients in a wide range of complex environmental, conservation, and land use matters, including transactions, permitting, project approval, compliance, enforcement, stewardship, and litigation. Learn more about Attorney Caulk here.

Learn more about the Energy Practice Group at Drummond Woodsum here.

 

_{Shown here at the microgrid groundbreaking ceremony on April 11, 2024 (Corning, CA):
Damon Safranek, Paskenta Enterprises Corporation Chief Executive Officer; Adam Cote, Drummond Woodsum Attorney; and Andrew “Dru” Alejandre, Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians Chairman}