Granholm and Emhoff Talk Geothermal at OU

NORMAN, Okla. — U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff recently traveled to the University of Oklahoma to meet with tribal leaders and energy experts to discuss how the power of geothermal energy can be harnessed for the benefit of Indigenous communities.

“We are incredibly grateful to have hosted Secretary Granholm, Second Gentleman Emhoff and our tribal leaders at the University of Oklahoma,” OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. said, according to a press release on the University’s website.

“Our discussion today honors our shared commitment to working together to develop sustainable energy solutions for people and communities across America. At OU, we are leveraging more than a century of energy expertise to unlock new energy pathways that will power future generations,” he added.

The visit was part of the Biden-Harris administration’s “Investing in America” tour to highlight investments throughout the country.

Tribal Nations met with DOE representatives and OU energy faculty to discuss Oklahoma’s potential for geothermal energy production as a component of energy sovereignty. 

“Geothermal industry has massive potential, and it has potential to become a powerhouse, not only in the United States, but particular benefits for rural and hard-to-reach areas including tribal nations,” Emhoff was quoted as saying, by local TV station KOCO.

The DOE presented the guests with the White House’s newly published “Guidebook to the Inflation Reduction Act’s Clean Energy and Climate Investments of Indian Country.”

According to the release, other panelists included: Reggie Wassana, governor, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes; Bill Anoatubby, governor, Chickasaw Nation; John “Rocky” Barrett, tribal chairman, Citizen Potawatomi Nation; Jim Collard, director of Planning and Economic Development, Citizen Potawatomi Nation; Micah White, CEO, Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Utility Authority; James Williams, director, Office of Environmental Services, Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Matthew Dannenberg, tribal liaison, U.S. Department of Energy; PaaWee Rivera, senior advisor and Tribal Affairs director, the White House; Joseph Harroz Jr., president, University of Oklahoma; Tana Fitzpatrick, associate vice president of Tribal Relations and Director, Native Nations Center, University of Oklahoma; Tim Filley, director, Institute for Resilient Environmental and Energy Systems, University of Oklahoma; Saaed Salehi, associate professor, Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, University of Oklahoma; Li Song, Lloyd G. and Joyce Austin presidential professor, Gallogly College of Engineering, University of Oklahoma.