New article in Science focuses on empowering Tribes through the just extraction of energy resources on their lands
Piece is co-authored by several scholars and fellows at the Payne Institute at Mines
A rapidly changing energy system, increasing energy and critical minerals demand and related national security imperatives present Native American Tribes with a generational economic opportunity, according to a new Letter in Science authored by a team brought together through the Payne Institute at Colorado School of Mines.
“If the federal government respects Tribal sovereignty, resource extraction and related projects such as natural gas development, power plants and data centers on Tribal lands can help create economic prosperity,” writes Richard Luarkie, director of the Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty Initiative (NAMES) at the Payne Institute, and Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute. “The conditions need to be created where Tribes and Tribal people can benefit from becoming better networked and integrated into domestic and global supply chains.”
Luarkie, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna Tribe, and Bazilian are joined by co-authors Shane Seibel, Daniel Cardenas, Cody Mayer, Ramon Sanchez, Matt Dannenberg, Bazile Minogiizhigaabo Panek, Albert Bond and Zane Gordon. The letter, titled A Path to US Tribal Energy Sovereignty, appears in the Science Jan. 24, 2025 issue.
The Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty Initiative was established in 2023 to be a strong supporter of Tribal communities, an effective and collaborative convener, and a thought leader in the national conversation on new critical mineral and energy development in the U.S. The initiative is focused on empowering Tribal communities to achieve their goals for vibrant economies and empowered people.
About The Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines
The mission of the Payne Institute is to provide world-class scientific insights, helping to inform and shape public policy on earth resources, energy, and environment. The Institute seeks to link the strong scientific and engineering research and expertise at Mines with issues related to public policy and national security. For more information, visit: PayneInstitute.MINES.edu.
About Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society – all to create a more prosperous future.
