U.S. Secretary of Energy and Second Gentleman of the United States Meet with Tribal Leaders, University of Oklahoma Energy Experts

NORMAN, OKLA. -- U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff met with Tribal leaders and University of Oklahoma energy experts today for a roundtable discussion on how the power and potential of geothermal energy can be harnessed for the benefit of Indigenous communities.

“We are incredibly grateful to have hosted Secretary Granholm, Second Gentleman Emhoff and our Tribal leaders at the University of Oklahoma,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “Our discussion today honors our shared commitment to working together to develop sustainable energy solutions for people and communities across America. At OU, we are leveraging more than a century of energy expertise to unlock new energy pathways that will power future generations.”

Tribal Nations met with Department of Energy representatives and OU energy faculty to discuss Oklahoma’s potential for geothermal energy production as a component of energy sovereignty. The discussion also addressed multiple renewable energy resources as vital components of energy sustainability and economic security.

The Department of Energy presented the guests with the White House’s newly published “Guidebook to the Inflation Reduction Act’s Clean Energy and Climate Investments of Indian Country.”

In addition to the Second Gentleman and Secretary Granholm, panelists included:

• Reggie Wassana, Governor, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
• Bill Anoatubby, Governor, Chickasaw Nation
• John “Rocky” Barrett, Tribal Chairman, Citizen Potawatomi Nation
• Jim Collard, Director of Planning and Economic Development, Citizen Potawatomi Nation
• Micah White, CEO, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Utility Authority
• James Williams, Director, Office of Environmental Services, Muscogee (Creek) Nation
• Matthew Dannenberg, Tribal Liaison, U.S. Department of Energy
• PaaWee Rivera, Senior Advisor and Tribal Affairs Director, the White House
• Joseph Harroz Jr., President, University of Oklahoma
• Tana Fitzpatrick, Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations and Director, Native Nations Center, University of Oklahoma
• Tim Filley, Director, Institute for Resilient Environmental and Energy Systems, University of Oklahoma
• Saaed Salehi, Associate Professor, Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, University of Oklahoma
• Li Song, Lloyd G. and Joyce Austin Presidential Professor, Gallogly College of Engineering, University of Oklahoma