Energy Sovereignty Institute
| TOP NEWS New Mexico Grid Modernization Grant Program Opens 2027 Round Administered by the Energy Conservation and Management Division (ECAM) of the state’s Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, the Grid Modernization Grant Program “is intended to improve the electric distribution and transmission infrastructure to make it more flexible and responsive to modern energy resources and demands. “Eligible Applicants include municipalities and county governments; state agencies; state universities; public schools; post-secondary education institutions; and Indian nations, tribes, and pueblos.” Furthermore, “ECAM will prioritize projects from unrepresented Applicant categories. Categories include: an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo….” Applications are due August 15, 2026, Additional information can be found on the ECAM webpage and full guidelines in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. |
Welcome!
Welcome to the Energy Sovereignty Institute’s online information clearinghouse, and resource-base and portal. Our goal is to assist Native American communities (beginning with New Mexico) in energy planning and deployments, and their pursuit of energy sovereignty, independence, and economic development.
Native communities can play a critical leadership role in the nation’s transition to a sustainable, resilient, and equitable energy system. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that while American Indian land comprises about two percent of all U.S. land, Indian lands contain five percent of total U.S. renewable energy resource potential, including high generation potential for solar, wind and hydropower among other renewable resources.
Watch our video below on Tribal Energy Sovereignty, featuring four experts on its aspects and importance:
We hope you find this resource website useful in pursuing your goals, and we value your feedback and suggestions; please contact us via the Contact Form. This clearinghouse is a living repository, with new information and news updates to be added over time; so please come back and visit often, and sign up for our newsletter.
“My biggest dream is for First Nation Communities to become energy independent before mainstream America.”
Henry Red Cloud, Lakota Solar Enterprises Energy Sovereignty Initiative
We welcome tax-deductible donations and sponsors to help support this resource-base and ESI. Click here to donate through our fiscal sponsor (Microgrid Systems Laboratory), and contact us to discuss sponsorships.
