Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy: Empowering Native American Communities in the Clean Energy Transition

The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy (the Alliance) is an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization working to accelerate the clean energy transition in Native American communities. The Alliance provides pro bono assistance to support tribes in the planning, designing, financing and building of clean energy projects, such as large-scale solar, wind and battery storage.

Founded in 2016 by President & CEO Chéri Smith, the Alliance supports tribes through four key pillars:

• Technical Assistance & Project Finance
• Energy Policy & Government Relations
• Information Resources & Events
• Education & Workforce Development

The Alliance was created to respond to the needs of the tribes, and its services have been instrumental in facilitating a transition away from fossil-fuel-based energy systems to self-sufficient, clean energy-driven economies.

In May 2024, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation awarded a $4.5 million grant to the Alliance to expand the organization’s work in the Western United States, increasing the number of tribal communities it supports with energy planning, grant writing, project development as well as financing, legal and tax matters. This work aligns with the foundation’s Energy strategy by helping tribes tap into their clean energy potential to realize economic development and other community benefits.

The Alliance currently supports more than 90 tribes with more than 8 GW of clean energy development. Over the next three years, the Alliance will continue to grow its regional engagement across Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The Alliance aims to connect these communities to $1 billion in federal clean energy tax credits and grants. This funding could help bring 100 MW of new clean energy projects online and another 3 GW of clean energy into the project development pipeline.

The Alliance embodies the experiences and perspectives of the Native American communities it serves, connecting tribes and facilitating respectful and reciprocal relationships with energy service providers and allies in the financial, legal, engineering and construction industries. This ensure the tribes’ best interests are protected through all phases of clean energy planning and infrastructure development.

The Alliance’s policy team champions fair energy policies and equitable utility practices by facilitating the exchange of energy-related information between federal and tribal governments. In collaboration with the Alliance’s technical team, the policy team provides invaluable support to tribes through expert project planning and grant writing services, delivered at no cost. The goal is to enhance the success rate of tribal applications for federal funding, ensuring that valuable resources are directed toward tribal initiatives with the greatest impact.

The Alliance also hosts a series of events throughout the year, each crafted to transcend the conventional notion of gatherings. These events serve as purposeful forums, uniting tribes with subject matter experts and reliable resource providers. The aim is not merely to convene, but to actively address challenges and leverage opportunities for tribal clean energy development. Rooted in Indigenous cultural values, these gatherings cultivate connections that extend beyond business — they foster connections that are not only useful but deeply meaningful.

“The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy is doing necessary and impactful work to connect tribal communities to clean energy opportunities,” said Blair Beasley, managing director, Environment at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “The foundation is proud to support the Alliance and the work being done to sustain the vitality and vibrance of these communities while also protecting and preserving the earth for the generations to come.”