On the 14th of October 2021, the tribal council approved an alternative energy project through a collaboration between Drexel University’s Peace Engineering school Village of Tyonek, Alaska, and in partnership with the Thriving Earth Exchange (TEX).
Drexel, EDF, TEX and C2P2 visited Tyonek from August 2nd to the 5th in 2021 to meet the Tyonek tribal council, village members at a town hall, and a member of the Tyonek Corporation. During the visit, it was determined that significant electrical issues exists in the homes, and the repair of those issues would be subsequently included in the project. TEX is conducting monthly meetings with the tribal council secretary; the Executive Director of the Tebughna Foundation, which supports the village.
In a report issued in December of 2021, Drexel determined what method of alternative energy would best serve the village; design of that option will begin in January 2022 with an expected completion in May 2022
C2P2 is working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to gain support for the funding of this project. DOE has expressed interest in traveling to Tyonek in the spring of 2022 to visit the village and look at ways to support the project.