Grijalva, Heinrich Introduce Bill To Boost Clean Energy Development On Tribal Lands

Press Release

Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), the Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced the Tribal Tax Incentive for Renewable Energy Act in their respective chambers of Congress. The legislation will allow tribal governments to take advantage of the existing federal renewable energy investment tax credit in the same way any private developer already does.

"For too long, unfair tax code disparities have kept Native American Tribes at an economic disadvantage," said Rep. Grijalva. "This bill helps Tribes take advantage of the Section 48 tax rules that have helped successful cities and communities around the country. When this bill becomes law, Tribes can start creating the clean energy jobs Congress should have been supporting years ago. Arizona and the Southwest have a great deal of open land and solar potential that deserves federal assistance. This bill is the best way to unlock that potential, and I'm excited to work with my colleague to make sure it moves forward."

"Energy development is one of the most promising areas of economic growth for Indian Country today," said Sen. Heinrich."Across the country, solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and other renewable energy development have become a source for new jobs and business opportunities. Giving tribes access to tax incentives is key to creating the kind of energy autonomy that our Native American tribes deserve."

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