Powering Our Future: Advancing Energy Sovereignty Through Planning and Partnership
- Leslie Halfmoon
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
The Caddo Nation, through the leadership of Chairmen Gonzalez, tribal council, and CNEDA, is advancing one of the most significant energy development and sovereignty efforts in its modern history. Through a series of strategic projects, legislative reforms, and institutional partnerships, the Nation is building capacity to govern, develop, and manage its energy future in ways that benefit both tribal government and individual citizens.
Vision in Action
The Nation’s energy sovereignty efforts are under implementation in alignment with the historic Caddo Nation Resiliency Plan. This plan, built through tribal leadership, staff, and community engagement, serves as the roadmap for sustainable growth in energy infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunity. Our work is structured around best practices in Indian Country—focusing on lasting institutions, compliance, and financial sustainability.
Energy Projects and Achievements
Tribal Utility Authority Feasibility Study: Funded by the TEDC grant ($150,000), this study evaluates the viability of a tribally controlled utility. Progress includes infrastructure mapping, engagement with utilities, legal review, and visioning workshops. Completion is expected by the end of 2025.
Solar and Wind Feasibility: The EMDP-funded project ($130,944) supported assessments and design for two rooftop solar systems—115.8 kW at the Childcare Center and 207 kW at the Travel Plaza. These systems are expected to offset 105% and 98.6% of energy use respectively. Feasibility study of developing a community or utility scale solar is also underway, scheduled for completion in fall of 2025.
Orphaned Well Program: Through development and implementation grants, CNEDA has conducted methane monitoring at 30+ sites, coordinated with landowners,, and is preparing to plug and remediate up to 20 wells. Remediation and plugging operations, which can only be completed after on-going assessments, are scheduled to begin Fall 2025, which will create meaningful job opportunities to tribal members.
Home Electrification Program: A rebate program offering $2,000 per eligible household for appliance and electrical upgrades. CNEDA has filed the implementation application, and a portal for household eligibility and services is being developed.
Grid Resilience Grant: Nearly $1 million in BIL funding has been secured to prevent outages and improve energy infrastructure, with project selection pending results of the TUA and 477 Plan, in part because the grant requires a significant match and subawards.
Policy and Institutional Reforms
Caddo Nation Resiliency Plan: The community-driven planning document integrates energy and housing development with cultural values, emphasizing resilience, stewardship, and prosperity.
Oil & Gas Severance Tax Code: Over $1 million collected to date. The code supports monitoring and enforcement, enabling the Nation to track and verify production across Caddo lands.
Production Oversight and Lease Monitoring: Through enforcement of production codes and real-time monitoring, the Nation has ensured appropriate payment and accountability. A recent lease sale generated millions in bonuses to Caddo Allottees and revenue to the Nation.
Orphaned Well Plugging, Remediation, and Reclamation Act: Establishes standards for safely remediating legacy well sites, ensuring financial responsibility and environmental compliance.
HEARTH Act Leasing Code: Allows the Nation to lease land for housing, business, agriculture, and renewables without BIA approval. Awaiting final review.
Draft Possessory Interest Tax Code: Targets commercial use and energy transmission to expand the Nation’s tax base and regulatory authority.
477 Plan: The Caddo Nation is developing one of the first integrated workforce and energy-focused 477 Plans in the country. It consolidates program funding and authorizes fund drawdowns, enhancing flexibility and reinvestment capacity.
Realty Department Legislation: Authorizes the formation of a tribal Realty Department to manage leasing, energy permitting, and digitization of land records.
Strategic Federal and Academic Partnerships
The Caddo Nation has established strong working relationships with the Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD), the Indian Energy Service Center, and the Anadarko Agency. Through biweekly coordination and shared data access, the Nation is digitizing land records, mapping assets, and building realty functions in-house. DEMD has recognized Caddo’s work as a model for tribal energy development.
Partnerships with the University of Oklahoma through the RANGE Project and Native Nations Center have further expanded the Nation’s technical capabilities. OU faculty and students are supporting GIS analysis, orphaned well remediation planning, and research support. OU also co-hosts the Caddo Nation's Native Energy Symposium—an annual convening of 36 tribal nations, energy agencies, and funders. The second symposium is scheduled for October 2–3, 2025.
Looking Ahead
The Caddo Nation is investing in its future through responsible policy, community leadership, and informed project execution. From utility planning to solar installations, from plugging legacy wells to writing the codes that govern our energy economy—these are foundational steps. We are building institutions and creating a model of energy sovereignty that reflects our values and advances our self-determination.
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