About

Photo of Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians site by John Wright

Who We Are

The Tribal Energy & Climate Collaborative (TECC) formed in 2023 to identify and advance the climate, energy, and related economic and workforce development goals of the Tribes of the Southern California Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA). TECC provides capacity building and technical assistance, economic and workforce development, and policy and regulatory advocacy support to SCTCA’s 26 member Tribes.

TECC is managed by co-directors from the Pala Band of Mission Indians, SCTCA, and Prosper Sustainably. The collaborative is governed through SCTCA’s Board, a TECC Board, and the TECC Board Executive Committee.

Member Tribes unique needs drive TECC efforts:

  • The Capacity Building and Technical Assistance (TA) Program maximizes limited resources by mindfully considering each Tribe’s energy and climate needs and constraints.
  • The Economic and Workforce Development Program advances energy and climate solutions, technologies, and businesses specific to each Tribe’s goals.
  • The Policy and Regulatory Advocacy Program facilitates effective engagement on energy and climate policy development, rulemaking, and proceedings that affect Tribal communities.

How we're funded

Since 2023, TECC has secured more than $3.4 million in grant funding to support the collaborative. Funding has been provided by:

The California Strategic Growth Council’s Regional Climate Collaboratives program. In 2018, state Senate Bill 1072 established SGC’s Regional Climate Collaboratives (RCC) program to fund climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in under-resourced communities. The program funds collaboratives to help carry out activities that support those communities in finding funding and resources to plan and implement climate mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency projects.  

 

The California Jobs First Southern Border Coalition.

 

The California Public Utilities Commission’s Equity and Access Grant Program’s Equity, Engagement, and Education (EEE) Grant Account, awarded grants up to $200,000 for the purposes of building CBO, Tribal, and community capacity to understand and engage with CPUC decision making processes. The EEE Grant Account grantees have worked to increase participation within CPUC decision-making and to build the long-term capacity of Tribes and CBOs to make participation in the Intervenor Compensation program and other funding sources more accessible. The grants awarded to TECC efforts have supported the engagement of Tribes to learn about timely matters and proceedings before the CPUC and to influence relevant energy issues on behalf of Tribal communities.

 

The U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines program. 

Member Tribes

TECC Management

TECC Executive Board

Chair:
Shasta Gaughen, Pala Band of Mission Indians

Vice Chair:
Ray Teran, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Program Chair:
Christian Aceves, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians 

Policy and Regulatory Advocacy Chair:
Jacob Norte, Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians

Economic and Workforce Development Chair:
Anne Turcotte, La Posta Band of Mission Indians

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