If all goes as planned, in September 2015, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes will be the first tribes in the country to own a major hydroelectric facility.
The tribes obtained the option to pursue buying Kerr Dam near Polson in 1985, and have been working towards that goal ever since. Last fall, they formed a corporation known as Energy Keepers Inc. to finalize the purchase from PPL Montana, and to ultimately take over the dam's operation.
Credit photo courtesy Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes
In this feature interview, CEO Brian Lipscomb talks about the history of Kerr Dam, the plan to purchase it, and the new tribally-owned company he heads that will be in charge of operating it.
