Renewable energy projects on tribal land typically support the Tribe’s grid reliability and energy sovereignty or bring in outside revenue through electricity sales. For example, the 250-MW Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project was an early utility-scale solar project on North American tribal lands and supplies to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) with solar energy. The Navajo Nation Kayenta Solar Program was built as a partnership between Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and Salt River Project (SRP) and supplies electricity to the Navajo Nation. NTUA also developed a 72-MW solar project, Red Mesa Tapaha, in Red Mesa Chapter of the Navajo Nation. The project became operational in 2023; 66 MWs is delivered to the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems and the rest is consumed on the Navajo Nation.
In 2026, there continue to be new developments in tribal energy funding and agreements.
Funding Opportunities
In March 2026, the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs announced the Unleashing Tribal Energy Development funding opportunity. This funding opportunity will provide $50 million in federal funding for Tribal-led, community-scale, energy projects to serve community needs. Overall, the program is designed to support Tribal energy development projects that will increase electricity access, lower energy costs, and strengthen Tribal energy and economic infrastructure. Tribes, Tribal and intertribal organizations, Tribal Energy Development Organizations, and Tribal Colleges and Universities are eligible to apply for funding.
Applications are due July 24, 2026.
Tribal Energy Resource Agreements
A Tribal Energy Resource Agreement (TERA) is an agreement between a Tribe and the US Department of the Interior (DOI) for the Tribe’s management of leasing, business agreements, and rights-of-way in order to develop energy resources.
In May 2026, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe was the first Tribe to sign a TERA with the US Department of the Interior (DOI). The Tribe’s press release explained that the TERA “recognizes the Tribe’s longstanding expertise in managing its own energy and mineral resources.” Under the TERA, the Tribe “may exercise its sovereign authority to approve energy- and mineral-related leases, agreements, and rights-of-way on Tribal trust lands.” Objectives of TERAs are to foster economic development and self-determination for Tribes while increasing domestic energy resource production to promote energy security and lower prices.
The TERA with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe may serve as precedent for more Tribes to follow with their own TERAs.
For more information, please contact Sean Neal and Peter Scanlon.
Article By DWGP Summer Associate Jackie Dall – UC Berkeley School of Law, May 2027
