25 U.S.C. § 3503

Current through P.L. 118-78 (published on www.congress.gov on 07/30/2024)

Section 3503 - Indian tribal energy resource regulation

(a) Grants

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

(b) Use of funds

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) Other assistance

(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.

25 U.S.C. § 3503

Pub. L. 102-486, title XXVI, §2603, as added Pub. L. 109-58, title V, §503(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 768; amended Pub. L. 115-325, title I, §102, Dec. 18, 2018, 132 Stat. 4447.

EDITORIAL NOTES

PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 3503,Pub. L. 102-486, title XXVI, §26033503,, 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.

AMENDMENTS2018-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".

Indian land

The term "Indian land" means-(A) any land located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria;(B) any land not located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria, the title to which is held-(i) in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian tribe or an individual Indian;(ii) by an Indian tribe or an individual Indian, subject to restriction against alienation under laws of the United States; or(iii) by a dependent Indian community;(C) land that is owned by an Indian tribe and was conveyed by the United States to a Native Corporation pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), or that was conveyed by the United States to a Native Corporation in exchange for such land;(D) any land located in a census tract in which the majority of residents are Natives (as defined in section 3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(b)) ); and(E) any land located in a census tract in which the majority of residents are persons who are enrolled members of a federally recognized Tribe or village.

Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior.

tribal energy development organization

The term "tribal energy development organization" means-(A) any enterprise, partnership, consortium, corporation, or other type of business organization that is engaged in the development of energy resources and is wholly owned by an Indian tribe (including an organization incorporated pursuant to section 5124 of this title or section 5203 of this title); and(B) any organization of two or more entities, at least one of which is an Indian tribe, that has the written consent of the governing bodies of all Indian tribes participating in the organization to apply for a grant, loan, or other assistance under section 3502 of this title or to enter into a lease or business agreement with, or acquire a right-of-way from, an Indian tribe pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii) or (b)(2)(B) of section 3504 of this title.