The Arizona Tribal Energy Association (ATEA) was founded in 2006 by five tribes from across Arizona. These tribes had been regularly engaged in dialogue surrounding actions taken by the U.S. Department of Energy and the State of Arizona that affected tribal energy interests, even as retail consumers. The tribes considered the creation of their own named group to be a vehicle for better recognition in those forums.
Membership is renewed annually, allowing members to prioritize their involvement as needed on that basis.
Current Members include:
Membership is renewed annually, allowing members to prioritize their involvement as needed on that basis.
Current Members include:
- Ak-Chin Energy Services (ACES)
- Gila River Indian Community Utility Authority (GRICUA)
- Tohono O'odham Utility Authority (TOUA) and
- Aha Macav Power Service
ATEA was created by these tribal interests to fill a gap they identified in the utility sector that often ignored their unique interests. Tribes are positioned to enter the utility market at many levels but are also often unaware of the options available to them if they remain as utility-sector consumers. As a group, ATEA was envisioned to broadly further tribal electric-sector interests, through the creation of a named entity and through its member involvement.
ATEA specifically strives to:
- To promote the members' interests in Indian energy and utility matters;
- To inform members about energy and utility-related regulatory, development, and policy matters;
- To promote the members' interest in law and regulatory developments that relate to or affect energy and utility concerns on their respective reservations or in Indian country as a whole; and
- To educate other tribes and the public about Indian energy and utility matters.
