Overview & Learning Objectives
Energy is where tribal land base, regulatory authority, and market opportunity intersect. This module covers renewables and traditional extraction on tribal lands, Tribal Energy Resource Agreements (TERAs) that move approval authority from the federal government to the nation, and cross-border energy transactions.
- Compare renewable and traditional energy development pathways on tribal lands
- Explain TERA authority and what self-approval of leases changes
- Identify federal technical-assistance and funding channels for tribal energy
- Evaluate cross-border energy transaction structures
Reading Sections
Reading sections for this module are being prepared from the Institute’s book manuscript and will publish here as they are finalized.
Case Studies
The first Tribal Energy Resource Agreement
In May 2026 the Department of the Interior approved the first-ever TERA, with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe — transferring review and approval authority for energy leases and agreements on tribal land from the federal government to the Tribe itself, the strongest expression yet of energy self-determination.
U.S. Department of the Interior2026-07-19DOE technical assistance for tribal energy
The DOE Office of Indian Energy provides on-request technical assistance to tribes at any stage of energy project development — an on-ramp nations can use before committing capital.
DOE Office of Indian Energy2026-07-19