We have a responsibility to support the sovereignty of tribal nations in energy development.

It's kind of embarrassing to think that a country like India is going to have an icebreaker in the water before we would.

Well, know that we're paying close attention to Coast Guard.

We are lagging and a commercially available icebreaker is just going to be a gap-filler.

But when it is our own systems that effectively hold them back, that is not fair to anybody.

I want to underscore again using my State as an example, Alaska Native peoples as an example of why it is so imperative that we improve tribal energy development.

Alaska is really the first line of defense for our nation up there.

I have found in some agencies... an unwillingness to speak the language of the tribes.

Most Native communities in Alaska still are relying on diesel fuel and heating oil.

In Alaska, again, with small tribes, it is complicated, but most utilities are also small and simply can't afford the match.

I would ask that our teams sit down and talk about this, because as we are talking about it, you have a deadline that is coming up with opportunities for grant funding that is going to make a difference to tribes.

If we can resolve some of these things quickly to allow for these applications to be submitted, and again, to take advantage of this, that is where we are going to make a difference.

But many of them are starting to feel like, is this a false promise? Is this a false promise here?

So as you are working to advance this program, please understand that the reason they are allowing consortia in NTIA and through IHS is because this is what works.

But I will tell you, none of that is any good to a place like Alaska where the electricity is unaffordable and the service is unreliable.

In Alaska, again, with small tribes, it is complicated, but most utilities are also small and simply can't afford the match.

So as you are working to advance this program, please understand that the reason they are allowing consortia in NTIA and through IHS is because this is what works.

It's kind of embarrassing to think that a country like India is going to have an icebreaker in the water before we would.

If we can resolve some of these things quickly to allow for these applications to be submitted, and again, to take advantage of this, that is where we are going to make a difference.

We are approaching April. This is the time of year we start hearing from our communities saying we have run out.

I have been asked to be the liaison to you to ask whether or not the Department would consider a more reasonable reporting time frame for tribes like we have done under the American Rescue Plan.

But when it is our own systems that effectively hold them back, that is not fair to anybody.

Know that again what we want to do is get to a long-term solution to that program.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.