Plugging In: Energizing State-Tribal Energy Collaboration

With support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Policy, NLR is hosting two in-person workshops to offer support to states interested in improving state-Tribal collaboration on energy projects.

Both workshops will cover similar material, and travel stipends are available.

When

First Workshop

Jan. 21–22, 2026

Second Workshop

Feb. 2–3, 2026

Where

First Workshop

NLR's campus in Golden, Colorado

Second Workshop

Feb. 2 at NASEO (1812 North Moore St., Arlington, Virginia) and Feb. 3 at the Fairmont Hotel D.C. (in conjunction with NASEO Energy Policy Outlook Conference)

What To Expect

To promote innovative engagement on energy initiatives between states and Tribes, NLR researchers will be joined by Tribal members and subject matter experts to share case studies and best practices in an interactive format. The workshop is specifically designed for state energy offices and state regulators as well as public utilities serving Tribal nations.

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. An optional tour of the NLR campus in Golden, Colorado, will be offered.

Topics in both workshops will include:

Tribal sovereignty 101
Types of Tribal entities
Introduction to government-to-government relations
How regulators and utilities can support Tribal energy projects
The role of Tribes in transmission planning.

For the first workshop in Golden, Colorado, speakers include:

Pilar Thomas (Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona), Tribal Energy Consultant
Margie Schaff, Energy Attorney with Schaff Martin Consulting
Ravynn Nothstine (Iñupiaq), Senior Policy Analyst, Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy

For the second workshop in Washington, D.C., speakers include:

Catherine Zingg (Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin), Tribal Policy Director, Tribal Energy Alternatives
Daniel Wiggins (Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians), Executive Director of Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association
Claudio Kamaalewa Winchester Clini (Kanaka Māoli), Policy Analyst with Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy

Register

Travel

A small number of travel stipends will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to state government energy and regulatory officials (not utilities).

If you have questions about the workshop or travel stipends, contact Allison Smith.