§3503 — Title 25 Indians | U.S. Code

Summary

The Secretary can give annual grants to Indian tribes. Tribes can use the money to find and develop energy on tribal lands, pay for studies or reports needed for projects, and train staff who work on energy or who protect the environment. Tribes (not in Alaska, except the Metlakatla Indian Community) may also use funds to create and enforce tribal energy laws and build technical systems to protect the environment. Native Corporations may use funds for corporate policies and environmental protection systems. When a tribe or a tribal energy group asks, the Secretary must, as much as possible and as funds allow, make scientific and technical information and help available for regulating, developing, and managing tribal energy on tribal land. The Secretary can provide help directly with federal staff or by giving money so tribes can hire outside experts.

Title 25, §3503

Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary may provide to Indian tribes, on an annual basis, grants for use in accordance with subsection (b).

(b)Funds from a grant provided under this section may be used—

(1)(A)by an Indian tribe for the development of a tribal energy resource inventory or tribal energy resource on Indian land;

(B)by an Indian tribe for the development of a feasibility study or other report necessary to the development of energy resources on Indian land;

(C)by an Indian tribe (other than an Indian Tribe in the State of Alaska, except the Metlakatla Indian Community) for—

(i)the development and enforcement of tribal laws (including regulations) relating to tribal energy resource development; and

(ii)the development of technical infrastructure to protect the environment under applicable law; or

(D)by a Native Corporation for the development and implementation of corporate policies and the development of technical infrastructure to protect the environment under applicable law; and

(2)by an Indian tribe for the training of employees that—

(A)are engaged in the development of energy resources on Indian land; or

(B)are responsible for protecting the environment.

(c)(1)In carrying out the obligations of the United States under this chapter, the Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable and to the extent of available resources, that on the request of an Indian tribe or a tribal energy development organization, the Indian tribe or tribal energy development organization shall have available scientific and technical information and expertise, for use in the regulation, development, and management of energy resources of the Indian tribe on Indian land.

(2)The Secretary may carry out paragraph (1)—

(A)directly, through the use of Federal officials; or

(B)indirectly, by providing financial assistance to an Indian tribe or tribal energy development organization to secure independent assistance.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 3503, Pub. L. 102–486, title XXVI, § 2603, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3114; Pub. L. 105–388, § 10, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3484, related to promotion of energy resource development and energy vertical integration on Indian reservations, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 109–58.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 115–325, § 102(1), substituted “on the request of an Indian tribe or a tribal energy development organization, the Indian tribe or tribal energy development organization” for “on the request of an Indian tribe, the Indian tribe”. Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 115–325, § 102(2), inserted “or tribal energy development organization” after “Indian tribe”.

§3503 Indian Tribal Energy Resource Regulation