Unleashing Tribal Energy Resources

Today, the Department of the Interior announced a Tribal Energy Resource Agreement (TERA) with the Southern Ute Tribe in southwest Colorado. Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"Today's historic agreement empowers the Southern Ute Tribe to develop natural resources on tribal land to unleash American energy dominance and create new economic opportunities for the tribe. This is great news for the tribe and the American people. I thank President Trump and Secretary Burgum for their commitment to helping tribes responsibly develop the resources on their lands."

Background

The TERA program was authorized by the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act of 2005. A TERA is designed to function as an alternative to repeated Secretarial approvals. Once in effect, it allows a qualified tribe to enter into and manage energy-related leasing, business agreements and right-of-ways on tribal lands without obtaining separate approvals from the Secretary for each individual transaction.

Today's agreement with the Southern Ute Tribe is the first agreement signed under the law. In April 2026, Councilman Andrew Gallegos of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs about the importance of Tribal Energy Resource Agreements.