Native American Indian Renewable Energy Development

Call Now

Schedule a Consultation

Native American Indian tribes hold sovereignty over lands that are rich in natural resources. As renewable energy sources become increasingly crucial for a sustainable future, these tribes find themselves in a unique position to harness these resources. Not only can renewable energy projects help protect the environment, but they also offer economic advantages for tribal communities.

Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy Development For Tribes

Create Long Term and Consistent Revenue Streams

Tribes can generate significant revenue by selling the energy produced to neighboring cities, counties, or states. It creates a consistent and sustainable revenue stream that can fund other essential tribal projects.

Energy Independence for Tribes

By generating their own energy, tribes can reduce or eliminate costs associated with purchasing electricity from external sources. For some tribes, this could mean the ability to provide electricity in remote areas that have not been served by the public electric utility.  For other tribes, this could mean lower home energy prices for all tribal members, as well as a source of pride at becoming energy self-sufficient using environmentally sound methods. 

Federal Grants and Funding

Several federal programs and non-governmental organizations offer grants and funding opportunities specifically designed for tribal renewable energy projects.

Talk to Our Indian Law Attorneys About Your Tribe’s Legal Needs at No Cost

Fill Out Contact Form

Call Us

Legal Hurdles in Tribal Renewable Energy Development

Tribal lands have enormous potential for renewable energy, but there are legal challenges to navigate first. Any new energy projects must overcome different laws from the tribal, state, and federal levels. Here are a few of the legal issues to map out first:

Land Rights and Jurisdiction

Most tribal lands are held in trust or restricted fee status. This unique land status can complicate matters when tribes seek to lease their lands for energy projects or need to obtain certain permits.

Complex Permitting Process for Energy Projects

Multiple permits are often required from various federal, state, and local agencies. The maze of regulations can be daunting and time-consuming.

Financing Challenges for Sovereign Tribes

Given the unique legal status of tribal lands, some conventional financing mechanisms or lenders might be hesitant to fund projects on reservations.

Inter-Tribal Agreements

In cases where land or resources span multiple tribal jurisdictions, achieving consensus or establishing inter-tribal agreements can be challenging.

Native American Cultural and Environmental Concerns

Some areas within tribal lands might be of cultural, historical, spiritual or environmental significance. Renewable energy projects must be carefully planned to respect these sacred sites.

Types Of Renewable Energy Projects on Indian Lands

Solar Energy on Indian Reservations

Sun-rich areas, particularly in the Southwest, are prime locations for tribal solar power projects. A notable example is the Moapa Band of Paiutes in Nevada, who developed the Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project. This facility, covering 2,000 acres, can generate sufficient power for over 110,000 homes, selling the electricity to Los Angeles.

By capitalizing on vast sunlit lands, tribes not only support their communities but also contribute to the national grid, fostering a broader shift towards clean energy.

Wind Energy on Indian Reservations

The winds across the Great Plains region offers huge potential for tribes to harness wind energy. Some tribes have entered partnerships with energy companies, combining cultural insights with technical expertise, ensuring that wind projects are both efficient and culturally sensitive.

One of the flagship projects is the Campo Kumeyaay Nation’s wind project in California. With turbines capable of producing over 50 megawatts, the project exemplifies how wind energy can serve both tribal communities and surrounding areas.

Biomass Production on Reservations

While not as widespread as wind and solar, biomass projects are gaining traction. Biomass involves converting organic materials, such as plant waste or even algae, into energy. Reservations with agricultural activities or forest lands are well-suited for such projects.

For instance, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana have been researching and piloting projects to transform forest waste into biofuels. This approach not only generates energy but also aids in forest management and fire risk reduction.

Tax Credits and Incentives for Building Renewable Energy in Indian Country

The federal government, recognizing the potential of tribal lands for renewable energy generation, offers various tax credits to stimulate development in Indian Country. The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the Production Tax Credit (PTC) are two primary incentives available to tribes. The ITC allows tribes to deduct a portion of their renewable energy installation costs, while the PTC provides benefits based on the amount of energy produced.

Work with the Indian Law Team at mctlaw

With the right legal guidance, tribes can create a sustainable and economically successful future. Over the last few years, more and more tribes are tapping into the renewable energy sector, leveraging their lands’ potential, and accessing federal tax credits and incentives.

The Indian Law attorneys at mctlaw can help your tribe navigate all of these hurdles to achieve energy independence and a sustainable revenue stream. We have decades of experience dealing with the red-tape of local, state and federal government agencies. Let us represent your Tribe as it develops clean energy solutions.

Our team of experienced Indian Law attorneys can help with matters like: 

• Tribal Governance and Regulations
• Treaty Rights for Indian Tribes
• Natural Resource Management for Tribal Lands
• Cannabis and Hemp Production and Sales for Indian Tribes
• Environmental Protection and Cleanup on Tribal Lands to Protect Sacred Sites
• Trademarking Tribal Insignias and Symbols
• Resolving Tribal Enrollment and Disenrollment Disputes
• Tribal Housing Programs and Funding
• Tribal Healthcare and Strengthening Government Partnerships
• Doing Business in Indian Country
• Indian Child Welfare Protections
• Indian Gaming Compact Lawyers
• Breach of Trust for Tribes in the US Court of Federal Claims
• Federal Funding Opportunities for Tribes
• Tribal Fee to Trust Land Acquisition for Casino Gaming
• Gaining Federal Recognition for Native American Indian Tribes
• Misuse of Railway Easements on Indian Tribal Lands
• SBA 8(a) Certification for Indian Tribes and Native American Business Owners
• Federal Takings Claims on Native American Indian Reservations
• Land Allotments
• Native American Indian Renewable Energy Development
• Wind Energy Ventures
• Native American Tribes and Employment Law

Content Reviewed by Jeffrey Nelson – Indian Law

Jeffrey Nelson leads the Firm’s  Indian Law Group, He’s spent  over 20 years of experience working in Washington, DC on Indian law and litigation matters, including as a Senior Attorney at the National Indian Gaming Commission and as an Assistant Solicitor at the Department of Interior. Jeff now represents tribes across the country on Indian gaming and tribal governance matters. He also serves as the Assistant Attorney General for the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. Jeff earned his law degree at the University of Michigan Law School in 1997 and an LL.M. in Advocacy from Georgetown University Law Center in 1999.

Jeffrey Nelson’s Attorney Bio

Contact Us Now

Step 1 of 2

50%

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Phone

Areas of Practice(Required)

Please Select...Vaccine InjuryMetal on Metal Hip ReplacementsOzempic, Trulicity, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Rybelsus, ZepboundDepo-ProveraKratom LawsuitsBoars Head Listeria OutbreakIndian LawFederal Takings/Eviction MoratoriumRails to TrailsOther

Is This About a COVID-19 Vaccine Injury?(Required)

Please Select..YESNO

Approximate month and/or year of vaccination:(Required)

Name of the vaccine or vaccines you got:(Required)

Flu / Influenza

Tetanus

Pneumonia / Pneumococcal

Chickenpox / Varicella

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR or MMRV)

HPV / Gardasil

Whooping Cough / Pertussis

Rotavirus

Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B

Meningitis / Meningococcal

DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis)

Hib / Haemophilus Influenzae type b

Polio

Other non-COVID vaccine

Have you seen a doctor or medical professional for treatment?

Please Select..YESNO

What was your diagnosis?

Name/Brand of Hip Implant:(Required)

Please Select..BiometJohnson & Johnson DePuy PinnacleDePuy ASRZimmerStrykerWright MedicalOtherI Don’t Know

Year of Original Hip Replacement Surgery:(Required)

Did your doctor talk to you about metallosis, pseudotumors, high metal levels in your blood, bone loss, osteolysis, or joint loosening?

Please Select..YESNO

Did You Have Revision Surgery or Are You Scheduled for Revision Surgery?(Required)

Please Select..YESNO

Date of revision surgery or upcoming revision surgery

Did you get a recall letter or notification?

Please Select..YESNO

Did You Have Revision Surgery or Are You Scheduled for Revision Surgery?(Required)

Please Select..YESNO

Names of the Kratom brands used

Type of Injury from Kratom

Please Select..Death of Family Member or FriendMedical Reaction Like Seizures, Heart Problems, Organ Failure, Etc.Addiction For Which You Are Getting TreatmentOther

If there is an autopsy report, what was the cause of death?

If there is a toxicology report, what substances are listed?

Have you seen a medical provider about the kratom injury?

Please Select...YESNO

What is your medical diagnosis?

Are you still using kratom?

Please Select...YESNO

Have you gotten treatment for addiction or gone to rehab?

Please Select...YESNO

Are you a member of a tribe?

Please Select..YESNO

Is your question about a tribal matter?

Please Select..YESNO

What is the name of the tribe:

What is the tribe's location?

Did you take any of the following medications?

Ozempic

Wegovy

Mounjaro

Trulicity

Rybelsus

Zepbound

Other

Was your medication the name brand or generic/compounded?

Name Brand

Generic/Compounded

I don't know

What is the name of the pharmacy or website where you ordered the prescription?

Which form of medication did you use?

Pre-loaded injection pen

Vial of medication with syringe injection

Pill form

Other

When did you start taking the GLP-1 medication? (month and year)

Have you stopped taking it?

Please Select..YesNo

When did you stop taking the medication? (Month and year)

Have you been diagnosed with a medical condition by a doctor after taking the medication?(Required)

Please Select..YesNo

What is the diagnosis or condition:(Required)

What kind of medical care did you undergo for new or worsening symptoms AFTER you started taking the medicine? Check all that apply.

Surgery

Hospitalized for one or more nights

Urgent care or ER visit

Treatment by primary care doctor or specialist

Other

No Medical Treatment Yet

If other, describe the medical care you received:

Do you have documentation to show you were prescribed and/or filled the prescription for the drug? Please check all that apply.

Photo of medication packaging

Paper prescription

Pharmacy records

Online medical records

Medication packaging or box with prescription label

Emails from medical provider or pharmacy

Other

None

Upload images or other proof of prescription here.

Drop files here or Select files

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Upload any medical records or documents showing your diagnosis or injury from taking the medication.

Drop files here or Select files

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Tell us if there are additional details about your situation we should know about.

Are you contacting us on behalf of a deceased family member/friend?

Please Select..YESNO

Did you experience a permanent injury from eating the contaminated meat?

Please Select..YESNO

What kind of medical treatment did you undergo because of the listeria poisoning?

Do you have receipts or the packaging from the recalled Boar's Head Deli meats?

Please Select..YESNO

What year did you first start getting Depo Provera shots?

About how many injections of Depo-Provera have you had?

What is your diagnosis after taking Depo-Provera?(Required)

Name of the clinic or medical provider where you got the prescription for Depo-provera?

Please add additional information about what has happened.

I agree to the Terms and Conditions outlined in this link by submitting this information to mctlaw.

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

As an experienced leader in these types of lawsuits, we were confident the firm would have the expertise. However, what surprised us most was the high level of excellent customer service from the firm’s staff!

Pat R.

I can’t recommend this firm enough. They have an outstanding team that truly care for their clients…I have been awarded a fair six figure settlement.

Nate M.

When I say “they went to bat” for me…this Law Firm literally did just that. They persevered to bring the hard-nosed Manufacturer to settle and provide me some recompense for everything I had to endure which led to this suit.

Me’Chelle

Read our Client Testimonials