Udall, Heinrich Announce More Than $2.8 Million in Grants to New Mexico Tribes for Energy and Mineral Resource Development

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that more than $2.8 million has been awarded to 13 tribal energy and mineral development projects in New Mexico. These awards to eight tribes will help them better evaluate and make use of their energy and mineral resources to benefit the tribal, state, and national economy.

The Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Cochiti, Pueblo of Nambe, Pueblo of Jemez, Pueblo of San Felipe, Pueblo of Zuni, Jicarilla Apache Nation, and Navajo Nation will receive individual grants ranging from $40,000 to $1 million. These grants will fund a wide variety of projects that include a sand and gravel exploration study, a feasibility study for hydroelectric power, the manufacture of adobe bricks, and an investigation into a wood pellet business.

"The smart development of tribal energy and mineral resources benefits Indian Country, New Mexico, and the nation," Udall said. "These grants will go a long way towards supporting tribes in New Mexico as they maximize the use of their natural resources and spur economic development in Native American communities. "

"These federal investments are important as they help our tribal communities assess and develop their own energy and mineral resources," Heinrich said. "Obtaining the managerial and technical capacity to develop these assets and get them into markets promotes tribal self-determination and economic development. I will continue to support these important investments so our tribal communities can succeed."

The grants were awarded by the Department of Interior's Energy and Mineral Development Program in the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED). In 2014, the program competitively awarded $9.4 million to 46 projects across the country.

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