Deb Haaland Secretary at U.S. Department of Interior | Official website
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited Arizona this week to underscore the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to clean energy progress and strengthening Indian Country. Secretary Haaland, along with Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning, celebrated the completion of the Ten West Link transmission line in La Paz County, showcasing the administration's efforts to accelerate transmission buildout.
During the event, Secretary Haaland emphasized the administration's dedication to developing a robust and sustainable clean energy economy, stating, "The Biden-Harris administration’s broader efforts to accelerate transmission buildout will lower consumers’ energy costs, prevent power outages in the face of extreme weather and create good-paying union jobs."
Secretary Haaland, alongside Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton, also visited the Colorado River Indian Tribes community to commemorate a historic water rights agreement. This agreement, facilitated by the Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2022, reflects the federal government's commitment to Tribal self-determination and sovereignty.
The Department's commitment to strengthening Indian Country was evident during the visit, with significant resources allocated through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This agenda provides direct funding to Tribes across the country, with Tribal communities eligible for additional investments to support economic development and water resource management.
As part of the visit, Secretary Haaland and Commissioner Touton engaged with Reclamation staff and their families, highlighting the impacts of the ongoing drought on the West. The Biden administration's Investing in America agenda represents a substantial investment in climate resilience, providing vital resources to enhance Western communities' ability to adapt to drought and climate change.
Through initiatives such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Reclamation is investing billions in water infrastructure projects to support water storage, conservation, and purification. This commitment aims to address the challenges posed by climate change and ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources in the region.