---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 3503"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "3503"
heading: "Indian tribal energy resource regulation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/3503"
units:
  - "Chapter 37 — Indian Energy"
---

# §3503. Indian tribal energy resource regulation

- (a) **Grants—** The [Secretary](/usc/25/3501.md?p=10) may provide to [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3501.md?p=4-A), on an annual basis, grants for use in accordance with [subsection (b)](#b).
- (b) **Use of funds—** Funds from a grant provided under this section may be used—
  - (1)
    - (A) by an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3501.md?p=4-A) for the development of a tribal energy resource inventory or tribal energy resource on [Indian land](/usc/25/3501.md?p=2);
    - (B) by an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3501.md?p=4-A) for the development of a feasibility study or other report necessary to the development of energy resources on [Indian land](/usc/25/3501.md?p=2);
    - (C) by an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3501.md?p=4-A) (other than an [Indian Tribe](/usc/25/3501.md?p=4-A) in the State of Alaska, except the Metlakatla Indian Community) for—
      - (i) the development and enforcement of tribal laws (including regulations) relating to tribal energy resource development; and
      - (ii) the development of technical infrastructure to protect the environment under applicable law; or
    - (D) by a [Native Corporation](/usc/25/3501.md?p=6) for the development and implementation of corporate policies and the development of technical infrastructure to protect the environment under applicable law; and
  - (2) by an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3501.md?p=4-A) for the training of employees that—
    - (A) are engaged in the development of energy resources on [Indian land](/usc/25/3501.md?p=2); or
    - (B) are responsible for protecting the environment.
- (c) **Other assistance—**
  - (1) In carrying out the obligations of the United States under this chapter, the [Secretary](/usc/25/3501.md?p=10) shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable and to the extent of available resources, that on the request of an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3501.md?p=4-A) or a [tribal energy development organization](/usc/25/3501.md?p=12), the [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3501.md?p=4-A) or [tribal energy development organization](/usc/25/3501.md?p=12) shall have available scientific and technical information and expertise, for use in the regulation, development, and management of energy resources of the [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3501.md?p=4-A) on [Indian land](/usc/25/3501.md?p=2).
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/25/3501.md?p=10) may carry out [paragraph (1)](#c-1)—
    - (A) directly, through the use of Federal officials; or
    - (B) indirectly, by providing financial assistance to an [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3501.md?p=4-A) or [tribal energy development organization](/usc/25/3501.md?p=12) to secure independent assistance.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXVI, § 2603, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title V, § 503(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 768; amended Pub. L. 115–325, title I, § 102, Dec. 18, 2018, 132 Stat. 4447.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3503, Pub. L. 102–486, title XXVI, § 2603, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3114; Pub. L. 105–388, § 10, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3484, related to promotion of energy resource development and energy vertical integration on Indian reservations, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 109–58.

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 115–325, § 102(1), substituted “on the request of an Indian tribe or a tribal energy development organization, the Indian tribe or tribal energy development organization” for “on the request of an Indian tribe, the Indian tribe”.

Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 115–325, § 102(2), inserted “or tribal energy development organization” after “Indian tribe”.