Tribal Energy Program

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About ATNI-EDC

Our membership is acutely interested in local, regional and national energy matters with many tribes actively involved in energy related projects and the hydroelectric issues of the Pacific Northwest. Because energy matters are critical to tribal economic development and tribal resources, the Tribal Energy Program was created in 1997. Since that time, we have provided energy information and educational programs to our membership, participated in the formulation of national and regional energy policy, participated as a full member of the Regional Representative Group for the formation of RTO West, participated in regional utility rate making issues, developed an energy efficiency and conservation program for our membership, and worked in partnership with the Bonneville Power Administration to address tribal energy issues.

Our membership has told us that they have six major areas of interest in the energy industry. They are as follows: Energy development and transmission programs should honor our sovereign governmental status. Our land rights should not be adversely affected by changes in the energy industry. Our cultural resources and fish, wildlife and treaty resources should not be harmed by energy operations. Indian people are energy consumers. Tribes are also owners of energy resources and are seeking to use those resources, whether renewable or non-renewable, to generate electricity and economic development and need access to transmission. Lastly, tribes seek a continued voice in public processes regarding energy matters.

A major concern is the maintenance of reasonable utility rates for our tribal members. Indian people spend a higher percentage of their income on energy than other Americans, have the highest percentage of homes without electricity, and have the least control over quality of service. Our populations are experiencing two to three times the national population growth rate, which leads to the need for more housing and infrastructure. We are primarily small and rural.

The ATNI-EDC energy program strives to gather and disseminate information important to these interests, describe tribal concerns to regional and other energy forums, answer questions regarding energy issues, encourage tribal use of energy related sovereignty, encourage energy efficiency and conservation, and assist tribes in energy related economic development.