Washington, D.C. – Ken Ahmann, Chief Operating Officer of Colusa Indian Energy, was invited to testify before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies during the American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness Hearing. Representing the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Rancheria, Ahmann spoke on the urgent need for federal policies that support Tribal energy sovereignty, economic diversification, and national energy security.
“The Tribe was forced to take its energy future into its own hands after years of unreliable service from large investor-owned utilities,” said Ahmann. “By developing our own microgrid—powered by natural gas cogeneration, solar arrays, battery storage, and backup diesel—we’ve proven that Tribes can lead the way in creating resilient and independent energy systems. Now, through Colusa Indian Energy (CIE), we are helping other Tribes achieve the same level of sovereignty and energy reliability.”
Ahmann was invited to share Colusa’s success story and discuss how Tribes can leverage energy independence to create lasting economic development. As the only Tribally owned microgrid developer in the nation, Colusa Indian Energy provides expertise in designing and funding microgrids, forming Tribal utilities, and eliminating reliance on external power providers.
Among the key policy priorities Ahmann outlined:
Streamlining Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regulations to accelerate Tribal energy projects and reduce bureaucratic delays.
Expanding support for the Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy, which provides crucial funding and technical assistance for Tribal energy projects.
Restoring the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for natural gas cogeneration projects, ensuring Tribes can continue to develop high-efficiency, low-emission energy infrastructure.
Accelerating transmission corridor designations to unlock the full potential of Tribal lands for energy generation and economic development.
“Tribes are uniquely positioned to bring new power generation online quickly, bypassing the lengthy permitting and regulatory delays faced by traditional developers,” Ahmann explained. “With the right support, we can be key players in America’s energy future, providing reliable, locally controlled power for AI computing, data centers, manufacturing, and more.”
Ahmann also urged lawmakers to create equal financial opportunities for Tribes by granting access to tax-exempt debt financing and employer tax credit programs, ensuring they can compete with municipalities and private developers on an equal footing.
His testimony reinforced that Tribal-led energy solutions can strengthen national energy resilience while creating sustainable economic opportunities in Indian Country.
About Colusa Indian Energy
Colusa Indian Energy (CIE) is a wholly owned Tribal corporation of the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Rancheria. As the nation’s only Tribally owned microgrid developer, CIE provides end-to-end energy solutions that support Tribal sovereignty, economic development, and energy resilience. Learn more at ColusaIndianEnergy.com.