State-Tribal Energy Collaboration

NREL and subject matter experts are partnering to increase collaboration between state governments and Tribal Nations to advance Tribal energy projects and goals.

As sovereign nations with a government-to-government relationship with the U.S. federal government as well as states, Tribes have successfully collaborated with states to achieve self-determined Tribal energy goals.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Policy, this project aims to engage interested parties and address barriers to state-Tribal collaboration through resources for state energy offices, regulators, utilities, Tribes, and other partners.

Resources

The resources below provide insights for state energy offices, regulators, and utilities on how to engage with Tribes and build constructive, lasting relationships to support Tribal energy goals and projects.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding Tribal sovereignty and how it impacts relationships with states
• Types of Tribal entities and governance structures
• Types of Tribal lands and implications for project siting
• Best practices on collaboration.

Workshops

NREL is planning in-person workshops to support states interested in improving state-Tribal collaboration on energy projects. The same topics will be covered at both workshops, and the agenda will run for the whole day on the first day and half a day on the second day. Lunch will be on your own. We have a limited number of first-come, first-serve travel stipends for state government staff.

Webinars

Energizing Together: Building State and Tribe Collaboration 

Jan. 7, 2026, 1–2:30 p.m. MT

How can your agency have a positive, collaborative relationship with Tribes in your state? A growing number of state regulators and energy officials have asked the DOE Office of Policy for help supporting Tribes in meeting their energy goals. DOE selected NREL and a team of subcontractors to research and identify opportunities and barriers to state-Tribal collaboration on energy projects. This webinar will cover topics including Tribal Sovereignty 101, the role of states in the legal framework, and case studies of successful state-Tribal collaboration. By the end, participants will better understand how to respect and acknowledge Tribal sovereignty, how regulations and rulings impact Tribes, how to engage effectively with Tribes on decision-making, and how Tribes exercise their sovereignty. Presenters will also share additional resources and upcoming webinars for participants to dive deeper.

Register for the Jan. 7 webinar on Zoom.

Contact