Despite stiff political headwinds, tribe in Colorado brings utility scale solar project online [View all]
Last edited Mon Jul 6, 2026, 03:37 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: NPR
July 6, 2026 12:01 AM ET
The Trump administration has killed tax credits for renewable energy, fought to end wind farms, and called solar panels "ugly." So, it's notable that the small Ute Mountain Ute tribe in Colorado has managed to keep one big solar project on track.
Over the next year and half, solar panels capable of generating 270 megawatts worth of electricity, and 180 megawatts of battery storage will be built on tribal land in neighboring New Mexico, according to the project's developer. (The average American home uses a little less than one megawatt-hours per month, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration).
"I want to thank everybody that has had their hands tied to this project," Alston Turtle, a member of the Ute Mountain Ute tribal council told about 100 people at a recent groundbreaking ceremony for it.
"We're going through some challenging times right now, especially with the solar projects," Turtle said. "But we've got to continue to move forward in the vision that we see is right. As Native Americans we try to be the best stewards of the land, and take care of this land that was given to us."
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/06/nx-s1-5779756/despite-stiff-political-headwinds-tribe-in-colorado-brings-utility-scale-solar-project-online
Article updated.
Original article -
The Trump administration has killed tax credits for renewable energy, fought to end wind farms, and called solar panels "ugly." So, it's notable that the small Ute Mountain Ute tribe in Colorado has managed to keep one big solar project on track.
Over the next year and half, solar panels capable of generating 270 megawatts worth of electricity, and 180 megawatts of battery storage will be built on tribal land in neighboring New Mexico. (The average American home uses a little less than one kilowatt per month, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration).
"I want to thank everybody that has had their hands tied to this project," Alston Turtle, a member of the Ute Mountain Ute tribal council told about 100 people at a recent groundbreaking ceremony for it.
"We're going through some challenging times right now, especially with the solar projects," Turtle said. "But we've got to continue to move forward in the vision that we see is right. As Native Americans we try to be the best stewards of the land, and take care of this land that was given to us."
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