Henry Red Cloud is the Democratic Party's candidate for the Public Utilities Commission and a long-time advocate for renewable energy



He also is a great believer in Democracy. He says, "Democracy is messy and should be. People with different interests argue and fight over which way they want their state and the country to go. As long as that struggle is without violence, I strongly support people getting out and making their opinions known".



This is particularly important in light of the recent Water Protector camps that have sprung up lately in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline.



Henry says he "believes the folks in the camps have a constitutional right to be there and voice their opinion and protect the water, their sacred sites and the very lives of their children"



The recent ruling by the US Army Corps of Engineers set the stage for protests to continue indefinitely, when they issued a Special Use Permit for the protesters to legally camp on the federal land near Lake Oahe.



Those camps are now setting up for people to stay there all winter and being North Dakota it is apt to be getting pretty cold there. In response, Henry has brought together some of the best renewable energy experts in the region to help the camp with their electric power and heating needs.



"I am lending the camp two Mobile Solar Power Stations, that we use in training classes at the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center and we'll be doing workshops at the camps so people have a better understanding of how solar power works."



The Power Stations will bolster the Camp's radio station's outreach, as well as provide electricity for the construction that needs to happen to better winterize the camps.



Henry is also raising funds for five Off-Grid Solar Furnaces that will be used to keep people warm during the daylight hours.



I have built more than 1,000 of these solar furnaces and they are the best bang for the buck you can get in renewable energy today. The first one has already been funded and will go on the the kid's school at the camp. The second one will be used to keep warm a temporary ceremonial and prayer structure and the remaining three will be used to heat community gathering areas."



The Red Cloud family is famous for being creative and courageous leaders. Henry is a fifth generation direct descendant of Chief Red Cloud (Mahpiya Luta), the great Lakota leader and military genius, who was one of the most well known and photographed Native Americans in history.



Henry was recently honored when Maypiya Luta's ceremonial pipe from the 1868 Laramie Treaty was brought to the Cannon Ball camp and he led the Red Cloud delegation into the Council Tipi. Following the ceremony and discussions, Henry spoke on behalf of Mahpiya Luta to the many hundreds of people who had gathered near the Council Tipi. He spoke about the need for unity to protect Mother Earth, but also the necessity of always acting in a peaceful non-violent manner. He also talked about the need to take political action, which includes voting in the upcoming election.



He emphatically made his point - We can't change the past, but we can change the future!



Afterwards, Henry talked specifically about his campaign to become part of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.



"The Public Utilities Commission has been approving pipelines without much concern for South Dakota's farmers, ranchers, tribes and us regular citizens. The Dakota Access Pipeline should have never been approved."



The PUC approves or disapproves many aspects relating to the permitting of pipelines among its energy related duties. The current head of the PUC, Chris Nelson, led the effort to get the Dakota Access Pipeline approved despite much negative testimony and many objections.



Chris recently told the Capital Journal, “In order to do this job you have to love reading,” Henry has a different view on what the position really needs. Chris says he likes to read, but what is he reading? Hundreds of briefs provided by the oil companies. I can't imagine why he always thinks what they propose is just fine and totally in alignment with the law. I suggest he spend more time actually talking to South Dakota's farmers, ranchers, tribes and us ordinary people who object to these terrible pipelines and the price we have to pay, so rich people can get richer. We deserve better Chris. Time for you to go home.

Red Cloud wants to see a significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure and education. He knows that South Dakota has huge solar and wind resources and could become the renewable energy state if there was a major investment in teaching people about solar and wind power and how to install and maintain the equipment.



Henry states: "Many of the current oil workers could find much better, healthier jobs in this newer, safer, energy approach and we need to provide them with the necessary training and transition help."



Henry has a long history in working with and teaching about renewable energy including running his business, Lakota Solar Enterprises and co-managing the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center.



"I have trained many of our youth and veterans, both men and women, about renewable energy and how to live a more sustainable life. In learning to work with the sun and wind, we find a good path forward and a healthier one too that is a new way that honors the old way."