Tribes race to keep renewable energy projects alive as federal aid is cut
Indigenous communities across the U.S. are scrambling to fund stalled wind and solar plans after the Trump administration froze or dismantled federal programs that once underwrote them.
Miacel Spotted Elk reports for Grist.
In short:
- The Standing Rock–based nonprofit Indigenize Energy launched a coalition to build solar projects with $136 million in federal grants, but funding delays and possible program termination threaten progress.
- The “One Big Beautiful Bill” cut tax credits and clean energy grants, forcing tribes to rush construction or lose incentives, with permitting and financing hurdles compounding the challenge.
- Some tribes have turned to lawsuits, philanthropy, and private loans after losing promised funds, but many projects remain at risk of cancellation.
Key quote:
“Without that support, most of, if not all of those projects are now at risk for being killed by the new unclear federal approval process.”
— John Lewis, Native American Energy managing director for Avant Energy
Why this matters:
For many tribal nations, renewable energy is more than a climate solution — it’s a path to economic independence, lower energy costs, and resilience against extreme weather. Federal cuts not only threaten environmental progress but also jeopardize critical infrastructure like health clinics, schools, and emergency communications systems. The loss of funding leaves communities facing the dual pressures of climate change and energy insecurity, often in regions already bearing the brunt of fossil fuel extraction. Without stable investment, these projects risk being abandoned midstream, leaving tribes dependent on costly, polluting energy sources while temperatures and energy demands rise.
Learn more: Funding freeze stalls climate projects for tribes and nonprofits
