State-Tribal Energy Collaboration

NLR 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), 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.

Publications

These fact sheets 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 include:

State-Tribal Collaboration: Energy 101, NLR Fact Sheet (2026)

State-Tribal Collaboration: Tribal Right to Create Laws, NLR Fact Sheet (2026)

State-Tribal Collaboration: State Role in Tribal Legal Framework, NLR Fact Sheet (2026)

State-Tribal Collaboration: Utility Programs, NLR Fact Sheet (2026)

State-Tribal Collaboration: Types of Tribal Lands, NLR Fact Sheet (2026)

State-Tribal Collaboration: How Tribal Entities Govern Business and Commerce, NLR Fact Sheet (2026)

Workshops

NLR hosted two in-person planning workshops to support states interested in improving state-Tribal collaboration on energy projects.  

View the Washington, D.C., workshop slides

View the Golden, Colorado, workshop slides

Past Webinars

NLR hosted webinars to provide states with tools and resources to improve state-Tribal collaboration on energy projects.

Introduction to Tribal Sovereignty and Governance

This webinar introduces key aspects of Tribal sovereignty and governance and features Margie Schaff, managing partner of Native Energy Resource Counsel LLC.

Watch the Introduction to Tribal Sovereignty and Governance recording on YouTube.

View the Introduction to Tribal Sovereignty and Governance slides.

Government-to-Government Best Practices

On behalf of DOE, NLR hosted a webinar focused on state-Tribal collaboration through government-to-government policies. This webinar featured presentations by Tribal Energy Consultant Pilar Thomas, Minnesota Public Utility Commissioner Katie Sieben, Minnesota Public Utility Commission Tribal Liaison Angie McKinley, and California Public Utilities Commissioner Darcie Houck. Learn more about best practices for government-to-government relations and hear from states implementing Tribal consultation policies.

Watch the Government-to Government Best Practices recording on YouTube.

View the Government-to-Government Best Practices slides.

What Is Tribal Sovereignty and What Does It Mean for State–Tribal Collaboration?

The NASEO Tribal Coordination Working Group webinar topics included how sovereignty was established, how it's upheld, what it means for working with state governments, and how Tribal members think about energy sovereignty.

View the NASEO Tribal Coordination Working Group slides.

Building State and Tribe Collaboration

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 DOE for help supporting Tribes in meeting their energy goals. DOE selected NLR and a team of subcontractors to research and identify opportunities and barriers to state-Tribal collaboration on energy projects. This Energizing Together webinar covered topics including Tribal Sovereignty 101, the role of states in the legal framework, and case studies of successful state-Tribal collaboration. Presenters included Crystal Miller of Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, and Robert Blake, executive director of Native Sun. This webinar may help stakeholders 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.

Watch the Energizing Together recording on YouTube.

View the Energizing Together slides.

Examples From Western States

On behalf of DOE, NLR hosted a webinar focused on state-Tribal collaboration on energy projects in Western states. This webinar featured presentations by Catherine Zingg of Tribal Energy Alternatives and representatives of the California Energy Commission. They shared insights on policies and best practices in the Western states that support collaboration between states and Tribes.

Watch the Examples From Western States recording on YouTube.

View the Examples From Western States slides.

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