Five Tips For Forming A Tribal Electric Utility

Tara S. Kaushik is a Partner in our San Francisco office.

Forming a tribal public utility allows a community to independently manage its own energy resources, procure a cleaner energy supply, operate more efficiently than its current electric service provider, generate steady revenues over the long term, and serve the needs of its community. Below is an overview of five things tribes should consider when forming a tribal electric utility.

1. Determine Your Goals and Create a Plan

To operate a public utility company, it is important for tribal leadership to agree on long term goals that achieve energy independence, save money on utility bills, and serve the tribal community. Once the tribe has determined its priorities, it is important to consider several important questions that will help shape a development plan: