Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA), the first Native-led affiliate of GRID Alternatives, is intensifying advocacy on Capitol Hill to ensure that Tribal communities are not left behind in the nation's clean energy transition. Upon receiving an invitation to provide testimony at the Senate roundtable on rising energy prices, TEA reaffirmed its commitment to restoring critical investments in Tribal energy access, specifically addressing the loss of funding from the termination of EPA's Solar for All Program.
The roundtable, co-hosted by Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and attended by Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), brought national attention to the disproportionate energy burdens facing Tribal households. TEA Policy Director Catherine Zingg provided testimony on the real-world impacts of federal energy policy decisions and the urgent need for equitable solutions.
"For many Tribal families, this conversation is not abstract. It is about lowering electricity bills and supporting how people live," said Zingg. "Distributed solar and storage can provide immediate cost savings while strengthening energy independence in communities that need it most."
At the center of TEA's advocacy is the abrupt termination of the $62.4 million Western Indigenous Network Solar for All (WIN-SFA) award, an initiative that would have delivered clean, affordable energy to more than 2,900 Tribal households across New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah, and Colorado. The program was projected to reduce household energy costs by at least 20%, saving families approximately $1,300 annually, while also creating workforce development opportunities and strengthening Tribal energy sovereignty.
"The termination of Solar for All funding is not the end of this story, our work is on-going and we will continue to advocate for tribal energy initiatives," said Talia Martin, Co-Executive Director of TEA. "Tribal communities deserve equitable access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. We are actively working with Tribal leaders, federal partners, and policymakers to ensure these investments are restored and that Tribal voices remain at the center of national energy policy."
Despite the setback, TEA continues to actively engage with lawmakers, coalition partners, and Tribal governments to advance policy solutions and secure sustainable pathways forward. The organization continues to position itself as a leading national voice for Tribal energy justice, advocating for continued federal support and long-term, systemic investments that address energy inequities across Indian Country.
As federal energy debates continue, TEA remains steadfast: the path to a just energy future must include, and be led by, Tribal communities.
About Tribal Energy Alternatives
Tribal Energy Alternatives is the first Indigenous-led affiliate of GRID Alternatives. We partner with Tribal Nations to build energy sovereignty through grantmaking, workforce training, construction, and policy work. Rooted in Indigenous values and led by Native professionals, we are creating opportunities for communities to lead the clean energy revolution on their terms.
About GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is an international, U.S.-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that builds community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy. GRID works in the U.S., Mexico, Nepal, and Nicaragua and has installed solar photovoltaic systems on more than 29,500 homes and affordable housing developments in underserved communities while providing more than 33,200 individuals with workforce development training. GRID also provides clean mobility solutions and battery storage and is a leading voice in low-income solar policy development in the U.S. Installation Basics Training (IBT), a competency-based certificate program designed to develop the skills most relevant to entry-level solar installation jobs and related construction employment fields. Trainees learn solar installation skills, OSHA 10 safety standards, first aid and CPR, and soft skills, including interpersonal communication and dependability, to help job trainees obtain and sustain employment.
