Sovereign Energy Statement on Executive Order 14112 and Tribal Sovereignty

Statement from Sovereign Energy’s Deputy Director, Marissa Naranjo

Sovereign Energy condemns the recent rescission of Executive Order 14112. EO 14112 strengthened Tribal self-governance for the nation’s 574 federally recognized Tribes by improving access to federal funding and reducing burdensome restrictions on how Tribes manage those resources. Its revocation jeopardizes government-to-government relations, Tribal land, cultural sites, and Tribal sovereignty. The Trump administration’s actions undermine years of progress made to ensure that Tribal Nations can exercise their sovereignty and direct funding toward the priorities they identify as essential for their communities' well-being

Repealing Executive Order 14112 diminishes Tribal sovereign authority and increases federal interference in local Tribal decisions. Executive Order 14112 strengthened Tribal consultation processes by requiring federal agencies to improve coordination and transparency when engaging with Tribes. Its repeal removes these crucial safeguards, increasing the risk that Tribal perspectives will be overlooked in federal decision-making. Without the strengthened consultation requirements established under EO 14112, Tribes now face greater obstacles in advocating for cultural protection, environmental priorities, and infrastructure development. The loss of these provisions invites a return to outdated federal processes that historically marginalized Tribal voices and prioritized expediency over meaningful engagement.

This action is part of a broader pattern of federal actions impacting Tribal sovereignty, such as the Executive Order Declaring a National Energy Emergency issued on January 20, 2025, that has consequences for the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) was established to ensure that federal actions account for the protection of cultural and historic properties, including those sacred to Tribal Nations. Section 106 of the NHPA has long provided a crucial process for government-to-government Tribal consultation to assess, avoid, and mitigate federal project impacts on sites of religious, cultural, or historical significance. This law has been central to protecting Tribal sacred sites and cultural landscapes across Indian Country. 

While the NHPA already permits federal agencies to use expedited procedures, including accelerated Tribal consultation, during disasters, emergencies, and imminent threats to public safety, the new EO broadens the definition of “emergency” to include energy supply chain disruptions and infrastructure delays. As a result, federal agencies now have the authority to determine whether a specific federal energy project qualifies for emergency procedures, including providing only seven days for Tribes to comment on potential impacts on Tribal sacred sites and cultural landscapes. In addition, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP)–the independent federal agency responsible for overseeing the implementation of NHPA–has extended emergency provisions beyond the standard 30-day window to last for the duration of the declared National Energy Emergency, effectively allowing agencies to invoke these provisions for an indefinite period. 

This unprecedented shift prioritizes energy project expediency over Tribal sovereignty under the guise of responding to an energy emergency. The federal government must ensure that any invocation of emergency procedures still upholds its trust responsibilities to Tribes, guarantees meaningful consultation, and does not result in irreparable harm to sacred lands and cultural heritage. Sovereign Energy urges federal agencies to engage in good faith with Tribal Nations by providing adequate time for consultation and fully considering the impacts of energy-related activities on cultural and historical resources. Furthermore, we call on the ACHP to protect the integrity of its mandate and uphold its duty to ensure that Tribal voices are heard and respected in all Section 106 processes.

We remain committed to advocating for the protection of Tribal lands, traditions, and sovereignty. Sovereign Energy encourages Tribal leaders, preservation advocates, and concerned citizens to demand accountability and oppose actions that disregard Indigenous communities' vital role in environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.