Initiatives
Policy & Advocacy
MTERA Policies and Actions
MTERA Member Tribes, Board Members and Staff all align with key policies that guide our work to implement clean energy projects for Midwest Tribes. Coalition partners are invited to review these policies as well to ensure consensus in our work together.
Key Policies
Although MTERA always seeks to represent consensus perspectives on any given issue, it is important to note that not all member Tribes or Coalition partners agree upon the views expressed by MTERA. Further, it is also important to understand that interactions with MTERA do not substitute for Nation-to-Nation consultation, which can only be achieved through direct communications between the federal government and Tribal Nations.
For more information, please contact:
Andy Bessler, Director of Policy and Advocacy
Email: andy.bessler@mtera.org
Energy Sovereignty
Energy sovereignty is the inherent right of Tribal Nations to control and manage their own energy resources, ensuring that development aligns with cultural, environmental, and economic priorities.
Strengthening energy sovereignty means not only expanding renewable energy development on Tribal lands but also advocating for policies that empower MTERA Member Tribes to unleash American solar energy, protect Tribal energy sovereignty, and ensure Tribal access to energy markets, transmission infrastructure, and energy decisions made at the regional, state, and national levels.
MTERA’s policy and advocacy team actively monitors local, state, and federal energy policies that impact Tribal nations, from utility regulations to funding opportunities and interconnection rules. MTERA is dedicated to providing timely analysis and updates to our member Tribes, ensuring they have the information needed to engage with policymakers and regulatory bodies.
MTERA champions tribal self-determination in energy policy, empowering Tribes to be informed and have a seat at the table, driving decisions that shape their energy future.
MTERA works with Tribal Energy Champions within MTERA Member Tribes and with other coalition leaders:
MTERA supports the policy of cooperative federalism as it validates Tribal Nations as trusted partners with federal, state, and local governments to work together to unlock new optimal clean energy projects.
Positive Stakeholder Engagement
MTERA’s policy and advocacy team works with Member Tribes and Coalition partners to ensure that Tribes can work with all stakeholders at the local, state, and federal level in collaborative ways to:
- Unlock optimal projects
- Support workforce development
- Ensure fair utility pricing for Tribal citizens
- Secure quality service agreements
- Build positive relationships at all levels.
MTERA makes it a priority to stay up to date on all federal, state, and local energy as well as Tribal policies and regulations to help our Member Tribes navigate the ever-changing political landscape. MTERA prioritizes Tribal energy sovereignty and provides opportunities for Tribal members to have a seat at the decision-making table in their energy future.
Environmental and Cultural Protection
MTERA knows that the process of energy generation development raises many questions for local communities, especially regarding the protection of the land, water, and Traditional Cultural Properties. Developing and siting energy projects on or near Tribal lands requires a careful balance between economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, and the protection of our historic homelands.
Though renewable energy projects offer many long-term benefits, such as workforce development, they can also pose risks to ecosystems, water sources, and landscapes if not thoughtfully planned. MTERA’s policy and advocacy team works with our Member Tribes to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions about energy projects, whether they are developing infrastructure on their own lands or responding to projects proposed nearby.
MTERA Policy Toolkits
Empowering Tribal Energy Leadership Through Comprehensive Policy Resources
Native Nations are at the forefront of the clean energy transition, leveraging their sovereign authority and abundant natural resources to develop sustainable energy solutions that benefit their Tribal communities and beyond. Our policy toolkits provide Tribal energy leaders and Tribal Leadership with essential resources to navigate the complex landscape of energy development.
Each toolkit is designed to support Tribal self-determination in energy development, offering practical guidance, templates, and strategic insights that honor Tribal sovereignty while advancing clean energy goals. These resources are here to support MTERA Member Tribes’ vision for energy independence and environmental stewardship.
Hyperscale Datacenters (HSDCs) Tool Kit
MTERA’s HSDC toolkit provides Tribes with a template letter to send to their state governors to secure formal consultation on HSDC development and its potential implications. The toolkit also includes a basic fact sheet to share with Tribal leadership, along with additional resources to address HSDCs.
MTERA hosted a webinar introducing the Hyperscale Datacenter Tool Kit for Midwest Tribes on April 1, 2026. Click the link below to watch the replay.
Michigan Integrated Resource Planning Process (IRP) Toolkit
For more information, please contact:
Andy Bessler, Director of Policy and Advocacy
Email: andy.bessler@mtera.org