Pilar Thomas Testifies at House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing on COVID-19's Effect on Indian Renewable Energy

Tucson, AZ — The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP today announced that Pilar Thomas, a partner in the firm's Indian Law & Policy and Energy, Environment & Natural Resources practice groups, testified on July 8, 2020 at the House Energy and Commerce Committee regarding COVID-19 and its effect on Indian renewable energy.

In her opening remarks, Thomas discussed legislative and funding priorities for tribal energy development during the COVID-19 pandemic. She addressed the devastating public health and economic impact COVID-19 has had on the Indian community and highlighted the major barriers by federal policy, law and funding that are preventing economic recovery efforts for Tribes.

Thomas focuses her practice on tribal renewable energy project development and finance, tribal economic development, federal Indian Law, and natural resource development. She assists clients with strategic legal advice on tribal energy policy and planning; clean energy and infrastructure project development and finance; federal and state energy regulatory, programs, and policy efforts; and federal requirements for tribal lands development.

Prior to joining Quarles & Brady, Thomas was the former Deputy Director for the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from University of New Mexico School of Law.