Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) Grant

Every year, our Division of Energy and Mineral Development provides the opportunity for Tribes to receive financial assistance to establish the legal framework for developing and regulating their energy resources. 

We know that millions and millions of acres of Tribal reservations hold vast natural resources. We support development efforts led by Tribes in accordance with Tribal goals and priorities.  

Development Activities Eligible for Funding

• Developing the legal infrastructure to create any type of Tribal energy business
• Establishing an energy-focused corporation under Tribal or state incorporation codes
• Establishing an energy-related Tribal business charter under federal law (IRA Section 17 corporation)

Learn more about choosing a Tribal business structure

Regulatory Activities Eligible for Funding

• Developing or enhancing tribal policies, codes, regulations, or ordinances related to energy resource, including land-lease regulations for energy development purposes or for business purposes connected to an energy project
• Establishing a Tribal utility authority (TUA)
• Adopting secured transaction codes and a subsequent joint power agreement with a state government

Success Stories

• Pechanga in California

  

  Our grant helped to establish the Pechanga Tribal Utility (PTU). PTU is the first Tribal owned and operated utility company in California to buy and transmit power through the California Independent System Operator. PTU’s estimated power sales are over $11,650,000 annually.

  Learn More

• Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico

  

  With our funding, we assisted in settlement negotiations for expired rights-of-way agreements with the Tribe’s incumbent utility provider for roughly $2,000,000. The pueblo will use a portion of the settlement funds to build a 1-megawatt community solar project to hedge against future rate increases, which will result in an estimated energy savings of $100,000 per year.

  Learn More

• Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska in Nebraska

  

  Our funding helped the Village of Winnebago discover that their utility provider was mistakenly charging 5.5% in sales tax on meters located on their trust land. Meters on trust lands are nontaxable. The Tribe spends over $1,000,000 annually on power and now saves $55,000 per year with this tax issue resolved.

  Learn More