Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT)

*Last updated June 18, 2026

1. Interconnection & Transmission (WAPA)
   1. Want to move WAPA from 7 cents to 5 cents
   2. There is a need for an interconnection agreement with WAPA for current and future energy projects.
   3. WAPA approached CRIT regarding a Parker transmission upgrade from 161 kV to 230 kV.
   4. WAPA wants to remove transmission lines from Parker Dam to CRIT.
   5. This would require a jumper located on the reservation.
   6. WAPA is interested in leasing approximately 8 acres on the reservation to support this effort.
2. Electric Vehicles
   1. A potential EV microgrid project
   2. Gas-sino (casino gas station)
3. Infrastructure Priorities
   1. Energy infrastructure improvements.
   2. Internet connectivity upgrades, including broadband and fiber.
4. Network & Broadband
   1. Long-term goal to build a Tribal Network Operations Center (NOC).
   2. Goal of improving interconnectivity with other Tribes, including Arizona and eastern California Tribes (over a dozen were mentioned).
   3. Interest in helping 22 Tribal ISPs achieve:
      • Redundancy
      • Improved latency
   4. Data centers are envisioned as part of this network strategy.
5. Data Center Development
   1. Interest in developing state-of-the-art data centers that:
      • Support broadband infrastructure
      • Function as part of the broader network plan
   2. Concept includes:
      • Ability to power up to a 1 GW data center
      • Use of water for cooling
      • Proximity to El Paso Natural Gas, which could support power needs
      • Estimated 150 workers required
      • Potential to source materials locally (from nearby mountains and rock sources)
   3. Exploring a joint venture model for data center development.
6. Power Generation & Energy Planning
   1. Need for a developer and investor for a solar power generation project on undeveloped reservation land (~150,000 acres).
   2. Interest in establishing power purchase agreements (PPAs) to sell their energy production.
   3. Ongoing need for a jumper on the reservation tied to transmission and interconnection.
   4. Interest in developing a Tribal energy plan and energy policy.
   5. Exploring geothermal energy opportunities.
7. Economic Development Projects
   1. Feasibility study underway for:
      • A new casino and resort
      • A potential EV microgrid project
   2. Specific sites/projects mentioned:
      • Blue Water Resort and Casino
      • Gas-sino (casino gas station)
8. Utility, Water/Wastewater, and Regulatory Issues
   1. Interest in participating in or forming an Inter-Tribal Utility Authority.
   2. Water rights support needed:
      • Tribe has a California allocation of 50,000 acre-feet of water
      • A local water district currently takes all of this allocation
   3. Waste management development, modeled after Cabazon’s waste management facility.
   4. Need for IOU and CPUC regulatory support, including:
      • Issues around California utility taxes on Tribal lands
9. Agricultural waste and biodigesters to create energy