The 15th annual John H. and Cynthia H. Schultz Lecture is presented by Pilar Thomas, Parter, Quarles & Brady's Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Practice Group.

Pilar Thomas (Pascua Vaqui) is a partner in Quarles & Brady's Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Practice Group. She focuses her practice on tribal renewable energy project development and finance, tribal economic development, federal Indian Law, and natural resource development.

With record amounts of federal funding, changing state policies, and new attention to indigenous equity issues, Indian tribes and tribal communities have new opportunities to equitably participate in clean energy transition and decarbonization efforts. Many challenges remain, including lack of internal capacity, lack of development support, and adverse state and utility policies. Some challenges though, tribes can resolve for themselves through the exercise of sovereign rights and authorities. This lecture will discuss these opportunities and challenges and the sovereign acts tribes can take to more fully participate in the clean energy transition for the benefit of their citizens.

The Schultz Lectureship Series on oil and gas, energy and natural resources provides valuable information to policymakers, practitioners, business executives, and the academic community on emerging issues in the field. The lectureship fund was made possible by the generosity of John H. and Cynthia H. Schultz.

This lecture is co-sponsored by the Getches-Wilkinson Center and the American Indian Law Program.