Qualifications
The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy (the Alliance) is an Indigenous-led 501(c)(3 nonprofit. The organization is guided by a team of subject matter experts with extensive experience working alongside Native American tribal energy leaders to scope, design, permit, and interconnect successful tribe-led clean energy projects in a way that ensures maximum benefit for the tribal community and upholds the principles of self-determination and sovereignty.
Serving as partners, allies, and expert guides, the Alliance delivers this critical support through four key pillars, built upon a strong and deep foundation of Native American cultural values: Technical Assistance and Project Finance, Equitable Energy Policy Advocacy, Education and Workforce Development, and Convening and Information Resources.
The Alliance is 100% philanthropically funded, which enables us to offer–at no cost to tribe–the critical technical assistance and wrap-around services tribal leaders need to build their own capacity to access and manage the unprecedented amounts of federal energy infrastructure and climate funding currently available–and to ensure these investments are implemented in an equitable and just way.
Services & Support
The Alliance team of highly qualified clean energy experts have decades of experience providing services and support for the development of clean energy infrastructure on tribal lands, including solar and other renewable energy projects ranging from residential, commercial, and microgrids to utility-scale projects and energy storage. We customize our offerings to meet the unique needs and requests of each tribe.
Some of the ways we support tribes include:Offers guidance and support for energy planning, grant writing, project development, financing, legal and tax matters, and connecting tribes with technical and financial resources for project feasibility through development, commissioning, and ownership. The Alliance also guides tribes in the formation of a tribal energy development organization (TEDO) and/or tribal utility, fostering the pursuit of true energy sovereignty.
• Through the Alliance Preferred Provider program, our committee of technical and tribal experts evaluate and connect tribes with highly qualified, ethical clean energy developers and service providers to ensure tribes’ best interests are protected through all phases of infrastructure development.
• With strong and established relationships and partnerships in Washington, the Alliance policy team actively advocates for equitable energy policy and utility practices that benefit tribes. We serve as a conduit for the flow of energy information between federal and tribal governments and assist tribes in securing federal funding for developing energy projects.
• To aid tribes in their understanding of clean energy and the Alliance is curating an online repository of timely and useful information about the pros and cons of various technologies, along with real-time examples of how each has been implemented on tribal lands. We are in the process of developing highly needed resources including a federal and state funding database and capital stack planning tool.
• The Alliance organizes and hosts multiple in-person and online events each year focused on overcoming barriers to tribal renewables development, energy equity, renewable energy technology options, tribal energy project finance, energy sovereignty and more. All events uphold and honor Indigenous values and customs.
• The Alliance tribal engagement team has developed and delivers Indigenous Cultural Sensitivity Training, which provides organizations with an overview of Native American history and Indigenous cultural considerations to foster the appreciation of cultural knowledge and differences and imparts a minimum level of understanding necessary to work respectfully, equitably, and effectively with Native American tribes.
• In partnership with Tribal Colleges, major universities, and federal agencies, the Alliance develops and supports many Native-led clean energy education, training, and degree programs for tribal leaders and tribal members.