Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group (NETWG)

NETWG Charter

Mission

The mission of the Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group (NETWG) is to engage federally recognized tribal governments and their designated representatives in U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) activities. NETWG will serve as a conduit to foster communication, education of all generations, and promote active involvement of tribal governments. NETWG is dedicated to assisting in developing and maintaining the government-to-government relationship between DOE and Indian Tribes, consistent with DOE’s American Indian Policy.

Composition

NETWG shall be comprised of the DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy or their designated senior leadership representative(s) along with those tribal leaders or designated representatives who may be interested in or impacted by activities under the authority of the Office of Nuclear Energy. Such activities include but are not limited to expanded educational opportunities for all generations; management, storage, disposal, transportation of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; nuclear research and development; small modular reactors; stakeholder outreach; emergency response and planning activities; and potential economic business opportunities.

Operation

NETWG provides a unique forum for its members to share tribal perspectives and discuss matters of mutual interest to Tribes and DOE/NE. NETWG will fulfill its mission through regularly scheduled meetings or communication between tribal representatives and DOE/NE senior leadership and technical staff to identify topics of interest. NETWG will meet at least four times per year unless otherwise specified. NETWG meetings may include a tribal executive session with provisions for tribal representatives to meet separately or include other subject matter experts as appropriate.

Objectives and Scope of Activities and Duties

The Working Group shall exchange information, guidance and recommendations on nuclear energy topic areas, including but not limited to:

• Expanded educational opportunities and scholarships
• Small modular reactors or other emerging technologies
• Transportation planning, emergency response, training, and related funding allocations
• Management, storage, disposal, transportation of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste
• Nuclear research and development
• Cultural resource management
• Stakeholder outreach
• Economic business opportunities
• Other related topics under the authority of DOE-NE that may arise

Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group Steering Committee Members

The following individuals serve on NETWG's Steering Committee: 

• Richard Arnold, Chairman, Pahrump Paiute Tribe; Spokesperson, Consolidated Group of Tribes & Organizations 
• Rob Burnside, Public Safety Director, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 
• Adam Duran, Environment Department Director, Pueblo of Pojoaque
• Laurie Hernandez, Tribal Office of Emergency Management Director, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
• Heather Westra, Consultant, Prairie Island Indian Community

Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group Members

The following tribes are active members of NETWG: 

• Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), Pendleton, Ore.
• Consolidated Group of Tribes and Organizations/Pahrump Paiute Tribe, Pahrump, Nev.
• Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Mashpee, Mass.
• Nez Perce Tribe, Lapwai, Idaho 
• Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, Macy, Neb. 
• Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Oneida, Wisc.
• Prairie Island Indian Community, Welch, Minn.
• Pueblo of Jemez, Jemez Pueblo, N.M.
• Pueblo of  Pojoaque, Pojoaque, N.M.
• Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska, Reserve, Kan. 
• Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Fort Hall, Idaho 
• Timbisha Shoshone Tribe, Bishop, Calif.

Meetings

Upcoming Meetings

• 2022 Q3 Meeting | Date & Location TBA

Past Meetings

• 2022 Q2 Meeting, March. 15-16, 2022 | Washington, D.C. 
• 2021 Q3 Virtual Meeting Sept. 1, 2021
• 2021 Q2 Virtual Meeting April 26, 2021
• 2021 Q1 Virtual Meeting Jan. 29, 2021
• 2020 Q1 Meeting, Jan. 21-22, 2020 | Scottsdale, Ariz.  
• Fall 2019 Meeting, Sept. 24, 2019 | Washington, D.C.
• Spring 2019 Meeting, April 30-May 1, 2019 | Denver, Colo. 
• Winter 2019 Meeting, Jan. 22-23, 2019 | Arlington, Va.
• 2018 Q3 Meeting, Oct. 16-17, 2018 | Hyannis, Mass.
• 2018 Q2 Meeting, April 17-19, 2018 | Washington, D.C.
• 2018 Q1 Meeting, Jan. 23-24, 2018 | Omaha, Nebraska
• 2017 Q4 Meeting, Oct. 4-6, 2017 | Polson, MT
• 2017 Q3 Meeting, Aug. 1-3, 2017 | Pojoaque, NM
• 2017 Q2 Meeting, May 1, 2017 | Washington, D.C.
• 2017 Q1 Meeting, January 23-24, 2017 | Charlotte, N.C.
• 2016 Q4 Meeting, October 12-14, 2016 | Washington, D.C.
• 2016 Q3 Meeting, July 26-28, 2016 | Augusta, Ga.
• 2016 Q2 Meeting, April 25-28, 2016 | Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Fort Hall, Idaho
• 2016 Q1 Meeting, Jan. 27-28, 2016 | Palm Springs, Calif.
• DOE Tribal Energy Summit, Sept. 23-25, 2015 | Washington, D.C.
• NETWG First Quarterly Meeting, April 1, 2015 | Welch, Minn.
• NETWG Charter Development Meeting, Jan. 27, 2015 | San Diego, Calif.
• DOE Tribal Work Group Summit and Roundtable Dialogue, Dec. 11-12, 2014 | Chandler, Ariz.
• Tribal Leader Dialogue: Tribal Strategic Planning Meeting, March 5-6, 2014 | Albuquerque, N.M.  
• Tribal Leader Dialogue, Oct. 30, 2013 | New Orleans, La.