Mohegan Tribe Fuel Cell and Carbon Offset Program

Self-sufficiency is a concept that has long held special meaning for many Native American people. The Mohegan Nation, a Native American tribe based in Uncasville, Conn., is exploring ways to become more self-sufficient and environmentally responsible.

One way is to develop an innovative hybrid energy system at its Mohegan Sun Resort, five miles north of New London. The system will consist of fuel cells and state-of-the-art natural gas boilers. Over the short term, the Nation hopes to reduce reliance on its backup diesel generators by replacing them with much cleaner fuel cells. Over the longer haul, the Mohegans seek to maintain enough capacity on their reservation to cut themselves loose from the regional electricity grid, at least during times of ordinary demand.

Members of the Native American Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut also are exemplary in another way