Colusa Indian Community Achieves Major Progress in Energy Development with HEARTH Act Approval

Colusa Indian Community's New Energy Development Era

The Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians, representing the Colusa Indian Community in California, recently celebrated a significant achievement in their journey towards greater energy sovereignty and self-determination. The community’s Tribal Leasing Ordinance has been officially approved under the HEARTH Act (Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act). This approval, dated June 22, 2026, and published in the Federal Register on June 26, 2026, grants the Tribe unparalleled authority to negotiate and enter into leases of its trust lands without needing further authorization from the Secretary of the Interior or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

This momentous action signifies a substantial shift in land use policies, allowing business and agricultural leases—including crucial energy projects—to span up to 25 years, with the possibility of a two-time renewal for another 25 years each. In addition, residential leases can last as long as 75 years. Another notable advantage is that all improvements, leaseholds, and related activities on these lands are exempt from state and local taxation, which means that the Tribe can impose its own taxes.

For Colusa Indian Energy (CIE), the wholly-owned energy development company of the Colusa Indian Community, the implications of this approval are significant. By decentralizing the approval process, timelines for energy and infrastructure projects can be expedited significantly. The Tribe’s ability to direct its own land use decisions paves the way for faster development of energy projects on the Colusa Rancheria lands.

Chairman Wayne R. Mitchum, Jr. expressed his excitement about the approval, stating, "Nobody knows our lands better than our own people. Leasing decisions now occur here at Colusa, based on the Tribe's timeline, and that is how it should be. We thank the Department for its work on this approval, and we are ready to put it to use for our community."

Ken Ahmann, Chief Operating Officer of CIE, added, "Every project we build starts with land, and until now, every lease on trust land had to undergo a lengthy federal review process that could take months or even years. With this ordinance in place, the Tribe sets its timeline. We have projects ready for the Rancheria, and this approval allows us to get moving on them immediately."

The Heart of the Community

The Colusa Indian Community is federally recognized as a Tribe of Wintun (Patwin) people, located on the Colusa Rancheria in Colusa County, California. Governed by the Colusa Indian Community Council, the Tribe invests in various sectors, including energy, healthcare, education, and infrastructure—all aimed at enhancing Tribal sovereignty for future generations. This recent approval is a clear testament to their commitment to empowering the community through energy and infrastructure development.

Colusa Indian Energy, as the only Tribally owned microgrid developer in the U.S., is on the forefront of advancing energy initiatives that prioritize not only economic growth but also sustainability. Their work includes delivering innovative energy solutions such as microgrids, solar energy systems, and storage solutions that are designed for speed, scalability, and long-term reliability.

Through these endeavors, the Colusa Indian Community is not just investing in energy; they are taking meaningful steps toward achieving a self-sufficient and sustainable future, ensuring that their cultural and environmental values are upheld.

For more information on the Colusa Indian Community and their developments, you can visit Colusa Indian Community and Colusa Indian Energy.