With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S., there is now unprecedented funding for renewable energy, including substantial funding specifically for Native Tribes. Since Tribes pay disproportionately high energy costs, have long borne the brunt of fossil fuel extraction, and disproportionately feel the effects of climate change, these funds represent an opportunity to shift power. Renewable energy could offer Tribes that are interested the opportunity to enhance energy resiliency, drive economic development, and ultimately support self-determination and Tribal sovereignty.
Yet unprecedented funding will not guarantee renewable energy projects that substantially benefit Tribes. There is often a lack of capacity to apply for federal funding, a need for technical expertise, workforce development gaps, and a long history of energy extraction on Tribal lands that leaves many Native people rightfully wondering if they will actually benefit. These barriers stem from colonial structures and a complicated system of Federal Indian Law that adds jurisdictional and bureaucratic challenges.
Drawing from both direct work and research in this field, this presentation will explore how Tribes are leading the way to harness renewables for the benefit of their people—and the policy and structural barriers that still stand in the way. It will begin with a brief explanation of the legacies of federal policies that create complications for Tribes in this area today. We will then share examples of how Tribes have found creative avenues to leverage renewables for the benefit of their citizens. Lastly, we will end with an exploration of policy recommendations in this area so that the clean energy transition can truly be a transformational opportunity for Tribes.
