DTTL: Developing Tribal Renewable and Conventional Energy Resources

Dear Tribal Leader:

On January 27, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. He stated that, “[t]he United States and the world face a profound climate crisis. We have a narrow moment to pursue action at home and abroad in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of that crisis and to seize the opportunity to that tackling climate change presents.” See E.O. 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

Section 207 of the E.O. directs the Secretary of the Interior to “engage with Tribal authorities regarding the development and management of renewable and conventional energy resources on Tribal lands.”

Your input to this review is important. Tribal nations have sought to meaningfully address climate change, aware that climate change frequently disproportionately impacts Tribal communities and imperils irreplaceable natural and cultural resources and ways of life. Tribes have been at the forefront of important national conversations about responsible fossil fuel development and accelerating the promise of renewable energy on Tribal lands.

The Department is seeking information on the following:

1. How can the Department help Tribes access capital for development of renewable energy resources?
2. How can the Department improve processes and policies that affect tribal development of renewable energy resources, including facilitating greater communication and support among Federal agencies?
3. What steps can Federal agencies take to ensure that Tribes have greater control over the development of energy projects on tribal lands?
4. What additional barriers do Tribal governments face when attempting to develop resources within reservation lands?

We respectfully request your participation in consultation to receive your views and recommendations on ways to improve the Department’s support to developing Tribal renewable and conventional energy resources. We are asking that you first provide formal written input on Section 207 of E.O. 14008 at consultation@bia.gov by midnight ET on April 16, 2021.

I look forward to receiving your written input on these important questions and discussing with you at the above consultation sessions.

Very Truly,

Laura Daniel-Davis, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management