Statewide Summit on Tribal Energy Enterprise and Workforce Development

April 23 & 24, 2026

Cache Creek Casino Resort

14455 CA Highway 16 Brooks, CA 95606

Commissioners Houck and Baker of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will be participating in the Statewide Summit on Tribal Energy Enterprise and Workforce Development hosted by the California Energy Commission (CEC) in collaboration with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The CPUC will be presenting on proposed revisions to its Tribal Consultation Policy and its Tribal Land Transfer Policy and is soliciting feedback from California Tribes. The California Energy Commission has provided more information on the event and a registration link below:

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is hosting a Statewide Summit on Tribal Energy Enterprise and Workforce Development in collaboration with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation as part of its Order Instituting an Informational Proceeding (OIIP) on Tribal Affairs and Tribal Energy Sovereignty.

This summit builds on a broader series of regional roundtables being held with tribes across California to better understand tribal priorities in energy development and identify ways the CEC can support tribal energy sovereignty, economic development, and workforce opportunities.

The first day of the summit will focus on presentations and discussion with representatives from multiple California state agencies and institutions working at the intersection of energy, infrastructure, and workforce development. The second day will be led by the CEC through the OIIP on Tribal Affairs and Tribal Energy Sovereignty. 

This day will feature case studies from tribes; panels on workforce pipelines and tribal energy enterprises; and discussions on tribal energy ownership.

RSVP for the event here.

We are also partnering with the National Lab of the Rockies, who is offering some first-come first-served funding for travel to help with participation. If that is of interest, you just need to fill out this form and NLR will coordinate further.

California Teleconnect Fund and Survey for Tribal Organizations

The California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) is a program that provides qualifying organizations, including schools, colleges, libraries, hospitals, clinics, healthcare and community-based organizations, with a discount of up to 50 percent on monthly high-speed internet service bills.

The CPUC is requesting Tribal organization participation in the following survey to help staff understand the specific and unique challenges that organizations face in accessing these benefits. The goal is to remove those barriers.

One coordinated response per organization is appreciated. Please reach out to the team with any questions at ctfhelp@cpuc.ca.gov. For more information on the CTF Program, you can find it here: California Teleconnect Fund.